Enjoying #FordMindfulness With Ford Canada and the #FordEdge

We should all take the time to be mindful in our daily lives. Life can get crazy, and it's nice to stop and have some downtime for ourselves whenever possible. I recently had the pleasure of enjoying an amazing mindfulness experience with Ford Canada, and am so excited to share my experience with you!

My journey began downtown Toronto, with the amazing Ford Edge Titanium and a wonderful yoga instructor by the name of YuMee. YuMee showed me some great ways to stay mindful behind the wheel while driving.

With the CN Tower as an amazing backdrop, YuMee and I enjoyed a wonderful session, where I could stretch and relax my muscles both in and out of the vehicle.

After the session, I drove away with the Edge for a WEEK! If you have never driven this vehicle, I highly recommend that you give it a try. You won't regret it. I have never experienced a quieter ride in any other vehicle. The quieter engine makes driving on road trips incredibly peaceful.

Completing the yoga session with YuMee made me realize all of the things I was doing while driving that added to my stress level. Here are a few great tips to help keep you mindful behind the wheel.

1. Take the time to stretch before you drive.

I am the WORST when it comes to stretching. My session with YuMee showed me how important it is to feel as limber as possible before entering a car, as it is to feel comfortable inside the vehicle. Take the time to loosen your muscles if you can before driving.

A great option for stretching is the Triangle Pose. Stand straight, with your feet a metre apart. Turn your right foot out 90 degrees, and turn your left foot in 15 degrees. Lift your arms to shoulder height, and inhale.

Reach your right arm to the right side, and exhale. Lower your right hand to your inner shin, raising your left hand towards the sky. Look up, extend your neck, and breathe deeply five times. Repeat this sequence on the other side.

2. Make sure to sit with care.

Before you drive, make sure you're seated properly in the vehicle. Take advantage of the 10-Way Power Driver and Passenger Seats in the 2016 Ford Edge. This feature is a great way to find your perfect seating position, while getting the lower back support you need. I personally love this option, as my back is always sore after driving for long periods of time.

Sit as far back into the seat as possible, keeping your head, pelvis, and ribs in a straight line. If you spend long periods of time in your vehicle, the key to a happy back is sitting with the bones of your spine in a joint stacked position.

If you find that your back is sore while driving, use the heated seats option in the Edge to soothe the pain. Save the money you would use for a massage, and enjoy this quick fix instead!

3. Get a grip!

I spend tons of time driving on the 401, going back and forth between Kitchener and Toronto. One of the things I tend to do as soon as I enter the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is tense up and clench the steering wheel. I blame traffic, construction, and erratic drivers for this habit! 

I never thought about how this repetitive action can cause a lot of stress on my wrists. If this is something you experience, take the time to be mindful of this activity.

If you're holding onto the wheel too tight, take a few seconds after you have stopped the vehicle to rotate your wrists, and give your hands a loose shake. Your wrists will thank you for it!

4. Tune in, and tune up.

Before you hit the road, take advantage of the Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls. This is a great way to loosen up tightness and discomfort in your back. Place the balls between the seat and your back, in n area that feels tight. Add pressure on the ball, letting it slowly work on any trigger points where you are experiencing pain.

It took me a little while to get used to using the balls, but I have noticed that my back is not as tight as it has been in the past on my road trips down the 401.

5. Stay mindful.

Whether you're on a road trip, stuck in traffic, or commuting to work, it's important to remain mindful while behind the wheel. Make use of the innovative driver assist technology available in the Ford Edge. It can help you remain calm, centred, and mindful while driving.

There are some convenient technologies available in the Edge, such as the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®). This helps you drive worry-free and use radar to let you know when a vehicle is hidden in your blind spot.

This is a fantastic feature in the Edge! There is nothing worse than not knowing who is in your blind spot while driving. I have seen way too many accidents on the highway, and this feature can really help prevent split-second mishaps.

My mindfulness journey continued after lunch with a great session at Float Toronto. For those of you who have never heard of float sessions, floating involves lying in a tank filled with a salt water solution.

You may also have heard of it being referred to as a float tank, isolation tank, or sensory deprivation tank. Fighting gravity won't be an issue here, as the solution is made up of 10 inches of water, and 850 pounds of Epsom salts.

I had never experienced anything like this before, and it truly helps to shut out the noise and stresses in our lives. It also allows our bodies and minds to relax.

I will admit that the one thing I had a hard time with was closing the door of the sensory tank. I'm a little claustrophobic, so I kept the door open (which is ok, as I was in a room all by myself).

Floating has some amazing key benefits for your body:

1. Relaxation Response - Floating weightless in the tank helps your body with general recuperation, replenishment of digestive secretions, and relaxation.
2. Use in Athletic Training - The salt water solution has an added benefit of being saturated with Epsom Salts. These help in the body's healing process, drawing out lactic acid buildup and toxins in your body. They also speed up recovery time after workouts and runs!
3. Increased Immune Function - Immune function is enhanced by suppressing stress hormones. They weaken the immune system, suppress digestion and reproductive systems, decrease insulin sensitivity, and affect the regeneration process.

Floating also has some great benefits for your mind:

1. Stress Reduction - This is one of my favourite reasons to float! Our everyday lives are filled with many demands, and all kinds of stress. Floatation therapy is the most powerful stress therapy technique known.
2. Improved Creativity - Studies have shown that six float sessions helped people have more creative ideas, and increased their free imagery. A study with 40 university students showed that a single float session increased their scores on a standardized test used to measure creativity.

My float session was a pretty interesting experience. If you decide to try it, here are a few of my own personal tips and takeaways:

• Don't shave the day of your float session! The salt solution is intense, and will make your skin sting if you shave before your appointment.
• Be prepared to shower after your session, and wash your hair, if needed. I tried to avoid getting my hair wet, but salt clung to every inch of me. The bonus was that my skin was soft and glowing after the session!
• Use the floatation devices provided outside the float tank, to help you stay above the salt water solution. I found them to be very useful.
• To prevent getting salt water in your ears, use the earplugs provided during your session. If you get salt in your ears, use the vinegar solution provided to rinse out your ears.
• Limit food and drink before floating, to avoid bathroom trips while you're trying to relax. 

I had a great time driving the Ford Edge all over Ontario, from Kitchener and Stratford to Toronto. Using the featured technologies helped to enhance my experience. Here are a few of my favorite features of the Edge.

• Enhanced Active Park Assist - If you're like me, and aren't comfortable parallel or reverse parking, this feature will make you feel like a pro in no time. The 12 ultrasonic sensors and available active park assist can identify suitable parallel or perpendicular parking spaces. I found myself searching for places to parallel park while I had the vehicle. The Park Out Assist helps steer the vehicle out of tight parallel parking spaces, while side parking sensors watch the back, front, and sides of the vehicle.
• Available Lane-Keeping System - I love how innovative this feature is! The Edge sensed when I was veering out of my lane, and warned me by having the steering wheel vibrate. It went a step further by steering itself back into my lane. That's amazing!
• Voice-Activated Sync® 3 - This is my favorite feature in the Edge. Sync® 3 allows you to stay focused on the road, while making client or personal calls with the push of a button and the sound of your voice. It makes navigating to your destination really easy, and searches for music on your phone and SiriusXM Satellite Radio a breeze.
• All-Climate Comfort - With the crazy changes in weather we experience in Southwestern Ontario, having the option to have heated or cooled seats in the Edge is a huge plus! The rear seats have optional heated seats, and the front has the option for heated or cooled seats (which is the best thing in humid weather). On several occasions, I used both options while driving the Edge.

In addition to the float session, Ford also provided me with a mindful experience of my choice. In my opinion, there is nothing more relaxing than a hot stone massage, to get rid of stress, aches and pains. I was excited to visit my favourite Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) at Total Skin and Body Anti-Aging Spa in Kitchener.

I have experienced many different types of massages at a variety of spas, but there isn't anyone like my RMT Kelly. She's so good, it takes a long time to book an appointment with her. I was incredibly lucky to get some time with her! Kelly has been my massage therapist for years, and I always leave feeling like I'm floating on a cloud of bliss.

Between the heat therapy, hot stones and amazing massage, Kelly released months of tension and stress from my body. I was able to unplug and unwind, and was falling asleep by the end of the session. That's what I call an incredibly mindful experience!

If you have never tried a hot stone massage, I highly recommend that you do in the future. I slept like a baby that night.

I had an great week with the Ford Edge Titanium, and happily recommend it to anyone interested in a stylish SUV filled with amazing technology. It was a sad day for me when I had to return the vehicle. Thank you so much to Ford Canada for a wonderfully mindful experience!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post, but Ford Canada provided me with the Ford Edge vehicle for the week, the float session at Float Toronto, and a gift card to use for my hot stone massage. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Yoga 101: My Beginner's Guide To Getting Started!

I am definitely not an expert in the area of yoga. One of the things my doctor always says to me when I visit for my annual physical is that I need to do more to remove stress from my life. She recommends things like stretching, massages, and yoga classes! I love massages, but felt incredibly clueless when it comes to yoga.

When I decided to start incorporating yoga into my life, I approached it from a Yoga 101 perspective. Here are some helpful tips on how I introduced myself to the wonderful world of yoga.

1. Find classes that are right for you, and geared to your comfort level.

I have heard great things about hot yoga, but the thought of sweating through a yoga class in a hot room makes me nauseous! If you are new to yoga, do some research, and find a few great yoga studios in the city you live in.

Many of the studios offer introduction classes, or packages that offer you with an opportunity to try several classes at a reduced fee, for a limited period of time. This allows you to find classes that you enjoy and are most comfortable with.

I have taken a few classes in the past, but never had a set routine, or attended classes on a regular basis. Here are a few of the classes I have tried to develop a better understanding of yoga for myself:

• Yoga Basics - This class is great for beginners, and allows you to practice yoga at a moderate rate, while improving your overall strength and flexibility. It also helps you develop an understanding of basic yoga postures.
• Hour Flow - Flow helps you get through a varied sequence of active and standing floor postures. What I like about this class is that the emphasis is placed on deep breathing, strength building, and a lot of fun! This is a winning combination for me.
• CoreFlow Yoga - This class is a solid hour of fluid core work! In this class, you play hard, sweat, and build core strength, without having to do endless sit-ups or crunches (which I am not a fan of).

Another option is to try free classes, where available. I live in Kitchener, and there is a great option called Yoga In The Park. Every Wednesday and Sunday, Victoria Park offers a free outdoor class, in collaboration with Queen Street Yoga. These classes are beginner friendly, and open to people of all ages.

One of the websites I have used to find great deals on yoga classes is Groupon. Groupon is a fantastic place to find deals, and you can tailor the site to find options specifically for your area. I can't tell you how many amazing deals I have scooped up here.

There are always several deals on Groupon for yoga classes. For people who are unsure where to begin in the world of yoga, and are looking for a great price on classes, make sure to add your email address to their mailing list. You'll receive emails for deals on a variety of classes!

2. Invest in some useful yoga equipment and accessories.

You don't need to spend a fortune to practice yoga, but you should invest in a few good accessories for your classes. I definitely recommend a good yoga mat and bag to carry your water bottle, and other personal items. Personally, I like Gaiam Canada's 5mm Premium Reversible Yoga Mat - Be Free. It's large, comfortable, and I can mix up the colours and flip it over for a nice change. The patterns are different on both sides, and the mat itself is extra thick, which offers added cushioning and support.

For yoga newbies like myself, the textured, 'sticky' non-slip surface is great, as it helps to keep me in place, no matter what pose I am trying to execute. Another bonus of this mat is that it is made of PVC, and without the six most harmful phthalates. As a result, this mat is a healthier choice for both you and the planet.

I am always running to something, whether it's a workout class or appointments. I love Gaiam Canada's Metro Gym Bag, because it's perfect for holding all my personal items, and it's also super stylish! It also has a cinch cord at the underside of the bag to hold your yoga mat. I use it all the time for day trips to the city, and it has multiple pockets to hold anything you need to take long for yoga classes, appointments, or events!

If you are like me, you aren't 100% flexible, and can get sore after attempting to manoeuver your body in multiple poses! To get rid of aches and kinks, I use the Restore by Gaiam Deep Tissue Foam Roller. This is an amazing item, as it's designed to work deep layers of tissue, while withstanding repeated use. It also stimulates blood flow, targeting and soothing your aches faster.

When I started taking yoga classes, I was very sore, and this item was a huge game changer for me. It helped target my sore spots much faster, and get through the pain quickly. I highly recommend using this after a yoga class or run!

No matter what type of yoga class you sign up for, it's important to stay hydrated, especially in the hot summer weather! A water bottle is a must, so that you stay properly hydrated, and don't suffer from dehydration.

Another item I find extremely useful is a yoga mat spray. After a sweaty class, it's nice to give my mat a few sprays, to avoid any unwanted odours. I keep it in my bag, along with the rest of my personal items. I found mine at well.ca, but there are plenty of other stores that carry this item. My spray smells amazing, and also doubles as a pretty great room spray!

3. Dress comfortably, and in clothing that allows you to stretch properly, and lets your skin breathe through the sweat!

As much as I love Lululemon, those outfits can be pretty expensive! I found a great brand called Hyba, available exclusively at Reitmans. It's very cute, and super affordable. I sweat through my runs and workouts, and knew that I would need clothing that allows my skin to breathe, and lets me stretch properly during my sessions.

I picked up some great pieces that are great for yoga and running, so I didn't have to spend tons of money on multiple outfits. One thing to remember is make sure your clothes aren't too tight. You need to be able to move and stretch. If you're like me, you like to look cute while you're working out! Hyba has some incredible pieces in a variety of styles and colours. Check them out online, or at a Reitmans store near you.

Yoga is a wonderful way to stretch, find your inner zen, and help you relax. It's also a fantastic way to increase strength, balance, stamina and flexibility, as well as reduce stress. I hope you find these tips useful, and that you give yoga a try. You don't need to be an expert to enjoy the benefits of yoga. Good luck, and Namaste! 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post, but was provided with my Gaiam Premium Reversible Yoga Mat, and Metro Gym Bag. All of the opinions expressed are entirely my own.