Yoga in Port Elgin for the Mind, Body and Soul - Interview with Lori Walker
- Lakeshore Recreation
- Dec 6, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2023
About this Podcast Episode
This episode of the "Inspiration to Grow" podcast, hosted by Lakeshore Recreation’s Personal Trainer Lisa Oberbichler, features an enlightening conversation with Lakeshore’s yoga instructor Lori Walker.
The discussion delves into the holistic benefits of yoga, emphasizing its impact on both physical and mental well-being.
Lori shares her personal yoga journey, offers advice for beginners, and introduces an upcoming three-part yoga series at Lakeshore Recreation in Port Elgin.
The episode serves as an educational and inspiring exploration of yoga, highlighting its adaptability, inclusiveness, and transformative power in enhancing life quality and promoting mindfulness, stress relief, and overall health.
Key Themes and Takeaways
Holistic Benefits of Yoga: Yoga offers a comprehensive approach to health, harmonizing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Embracing yoga can lead to improved flexibility, stress reduction, and a deeper sense of mindfulness, benefiting overall life quality.
Accessibility and Inclusivity of Yoga: Regardless of age, flexibility, or experience, yoga is accessible to everyone and can be adapted to individual needs. Anyone can start practicing yoga, with the understanding that it’s a personal journey and can be tailored to each individual’s capabilities.
Mindfulness and Mental Flexibility: Yoga enhances mental well-being by fostering mindfulness, helping practitioners observe their thoughts and respond more appropriately to life situations. Regular yoga practice can lead to increased mental flexibility, reducing habitual stress responses and promoting a more balanced mindset.
Personal Growth through Yoga: Yoga is a journey of self-discovery, offering insights into one’s physical habits, thought patterns, and potential for growth. Through yoga, individuals can learn about themselves, experiment with new practices, and embrace growth and self-improvement.
Community and Support in Yoga Practice: Yoga is more than just individual practice; it's about being part of a community that supports and inspires. Joining yoga classes or communities, like the "Inspiration to Grow" group, can provide valuable support, motivation, and a sense of belonging on one’s wellness journey.
CHECK OUT: Yoga Class Schedule
Listen Now!
Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just starting your journey,listen to this podcast episode where you can choose from a variety of insightful segments tailored to your interests in yoga and holistic wellness.
Segments and Timeline
Click on the arrow for more about each segment.
00:00 - 01:47 | About the podcast, Lisa and Lori
In the 125th episode of the "Inspiration to Grow" podcast, host Lisa Oberbichler sets the stage for a compelling discussion on the synergy between physical and mental health. Lisa, as a personal trainer and life coach, introduces the episode by emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to health and wellness. The episode promises to delve into how maintaining a healthy lifestyle and fostering a positive mindset are crucial for achieving one’s goals.
Key Points:
Podcast Theme: The episode focuses on the intersection of physical health and mental well-being, underscoring the podcast's overall commitment to these intertwined aspects of health.
Host's Background: Lisa Oberbichler, serving as both the host and a professional in personal training and life coaching, guides the episode's narrative toward impactful and healthy lifestyle practices.
Guest Introduction: Lori Walker, a seasoned yoga instructor with extensive experience in yoga and Ayurveda since 2013, is introduced as the episode's guest.
Lori Walker's Credentials: Lori boasts over 2,500 hours of certifications in yoga and Ayurveda, highlighting her deep commitment and understanding of these practices.
Inclusivity in Yoga: Emphasizing yoga's healing potential for everyone, Lori’s approach is described as inclusive, catering to all ages, shapes, flexibility levels, genders, and spiritual beliefs.
Teaching Style: Lori’s teaching style is characterized as easy, gentle, and effective, aligning with the podcast’s ethos of accessible and beneficial health practices.
01:47 - 11:10 | The Timeless Appeal and Personal Transformation of Yoga
Lisa begins by inquiring why yoga remains a persistent trend in well-being. Lori responds, attributing yoga's longevity to its ancient roots and holistic approach that encompasses mind, body, and spirit. She emphasizes the multifaceted nature of yoga, including physical postures (Asana), meditation, mindfulness, breath work, and marma therapy—an acupressure technique for healing. Lori also touches upon the psychological benefits of yoga and its compatibility with modern lifestyles, often dominated by desk jobs and screen time.
Key Points:
Yoga's Ancient Roots: Lori points out that yoga's history, spanning thousands of years and practiced by millions, contributes to its lasting appeal, predating modern fitness trends.
Holistic Practice: Yoga's holistic nature, balancing mind, body, and spirit, allows individuals to engage with it through various aspects, including physical postures, meditation, and breath work.
Marma Therapy: Lori introduces marma therapy, an acupressure aspect of yoga, highlighting its historical significance and contemporary relevance for healing and well-being.
Ayurveda Connection: Lori discusses Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga, describing it as a health system aligned with nature and essential for maintaining balance.
Personal Yoga Journey: Lori shares her personal journey with yoga, beginning in 2013 through her interest in Ayurveda. She describes her holistic approach to life and how yoga and Ayurveda helped her address health challenges more deeply than conventional methods.
Transition to Teaching: Lori recounts her transition from a yoga student to a teacher in 2019, detailing the physical and mental transformations she experienced and her realization of yoga's accessibility and benefits for all, regardless of body type or flexibility.
This segment provides a comprehensive view of yoga's enduring relevance and Lori's transformative journey, emphasizing yoga's accessibility and holistic benefits.
11:10 - 21:01 | Yoga: A Universal Practice for Physical and Mental Harmony
Lisa appreciates Lori’s journey from embracing a holistic approach to yoga to sharing it with others. She asks Lori to convey why one should consider trying yoga. Lori responds with enthusiasm, emphasizing yoga's versatility in meeting various needs, be it physical movement, mental calm, or self-care. She explains how different yoga classes can cater to specific needs, like stimulating activity, relaxation, or aiding digestion through movement.
Key Points:
Yoga's Versatility: Lori highlights yoga's ability to cater to different needs, from physical movement to mental relaxation and self-care.
Individualized Approach: Yoga can be tailored to individual requirements, whether it’s for stimulation, relaxation, or addressing specific health concerns like sleep or digestion.
Life Integration: Lori believes yoga is more than just a practice on the mat; it's a lifestyle that enhances grounding, relationships, strategic thinking, and handling daily challenges.
Physical and Mental Benefits: Yoga can alleviate physical tension, stimulate bodily systems, and reduce stress. It also addresses mental and emotional strains through practices like meditation, promoting a sense of release and freedom.
Awareness and Mindfulness: Yoga fosters mindfulness and awareness, helping practitioners recognize and adapt to changes, align with their true nature, and achieve harmony.
Lori passionately advocates for yoga as a comprehensive practice that benefits both the body and mind, offering something for everyone regardless of their specific needs or life situations.
21:01 - 26:44 | Yoga Beyond Flexibility: Embracing the Journey of Personal Adaptation and Growth
Lisa addresses a common misconception about yoga, querying how crucial flexibility is for beginners, especially those who feel too inflexible to start. Lori, drawing from her own experience, emphasizes that flexibility is not a prerequisite for yoga; rather, the willingness to show up and engage is key. She challenges the goal-oriented mindset often associated with yoga, advocating for appreciating the journey rather than fixating on achieving specific poses.
Key Points:
Misconception of Flexibility: Lori dispels the notion that flexibility is essential for successful yoga practice, asserting that the true essence of yoga is about the journey and personal growth.
Yoga's Adaptability: Yoga meets individuals where they are, providing benefits from the very first class, regardless of their initial flexibility or physical limitations.
Self-Awareness and Adaptability: Yoga encourages awareness of one's body, teaching practitioners to adapt to their daily physical state and find ease and comfort through various poses and movements.
Inclusivity for All Levels: Whether a person is inflexible or hyper-flexible, yoga offers benefits, focusing on creating a balance of strength and stability, and accommodating all levels of flexibility.
Exploration and Play in Practice: Lori highlights the importance of exploring and playing with movements in yoga, which can lead to discoveries about one's body and help in releasing tension, both physically and mentally.
Lori's response underscores the inclusive and adaptable nature of yoga, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their flexibility. She emphasizes that yoga is about finding balance and strength, and it is a journey of personal exploration and growth.
26:44 - 34:03 | Mental Flexibility and Growth: The Transformative Power of Yoga on the Mind
Lisa transitions the conversation to discuss the impact of yoga on mental health. Lori responds by drawing parallels between physical and mental flexibility, emphasizing that just as yoga can improve physical flexibility through practice and awareness, it can similarly enhance mental flexibility. She explains that yoga allows practitioners to observe their thoughts, creating space for more appropriate responses and breaking habitual patterns.
Key Points:
Mental Flexibility through Yoga: Lori illustrates how yoga cultivates mental flexibility, enabling practitioners to step back, observe their thoughts, and respond more appropriately to situations.
Breaking Habits and Patterns: Yoga's mindfulness aspect helps in recognizing and altering habitual responses that may no longer serve well in certain circumstances.
Self-Experimentation and Mindfulness: Lori shares a personal experiment with running to demonstrate how yoga principles, like mindfulness and physical awareness, can transform one's approach to activities they initially resist.
Physicality and Mental Changes: The connection between physical changes (like breath patterns and body stiffness) and their impact on mental states is highlighted, showcasing yoga's holistic approach.
Growth Mindset: The discussion concludes with acknowledging yoga's role in fostering a growth mindset, as seen in Lori's journey with running, where her focus shifted from achieving a goal to enjoying the process and learning about herself.
This segment delves into the profound effects of yoga on mental health, underscoring its role in enhancing mental flexibility and fostering a mindset open to growth and exploration.
34:03 - 39:16 | Diverse Inspirations: Embracing Learning and Growth in Yoga
Lisa asks Lori about her inspirations in yoga. Lori reflects on her journey, acknowledging the influence of various teachers who have shaped her understanding and practice of yoga. She particularly highlights a couple, S Shri and Yogi, who transitioned from conventional careers into yoga, finding profound personal changes through meditation and mindfulness. Key Points:
Inspirational Teachers: Lori credits her initial teachers, S Shri and Yogi from London, Ontario, as significant inspirations. Their transformation from regular careers to embracing yoga and meditation resonated with Lori.
Impact of Meditation: She notes how Yogi’s meditation practice positively impacted his work as a police officer, demonstrating the practical benefits of yoga and mindfulness in everyday life.
Connection to Renowned Educators: Lori mentions her connection to Dr. David Fraley and Shaba v Chopra from the American Institute of Vedic Studies, praising their ability to make ancient wisdom relevant and practical.
Everyday Teachers: Beyond formal instructors, Lori emphasizes learning from everyday experiences and people, like her friend’s granddaughter, who taught her the steps to do a cartwheel, symbolizing the belief that everyone has the potential to achieve their goals with practice and guidance.
Openness to Inspiration: Lori’s narrative concludes with the idea that inspiration and teachers are all around, and being open to learning is key.
This segment beautifully illustrates how inspiration in yoga can come from various sources, both formal and informal, emphasizing the importance of openness to learning and growth in the yoga journey.
39:16 - 43:10 | Embracing Yoga with Curiosity: Guidance for Beginners and the Inspired
Lisa prompts Lori to offer guidance for yoga beginners or those inspired by the conversation. Lori encourages newcomers to approach yoga with the same curiosity and playfulness as children. She emphasizes the importance of letting go of worries and comparisons, focusing instead on exploration and self-discovery. Key Points:
Embracing Curiosity: Lori advises beginners to approach yoga with curiosity and an open mind, similar to a child's eagerness to learn and explore.
Overcoming Resistance: She discusses how resistance, often stemming from worry or comparison, can be a barrier to yoga practice and encourages overcoming it through playful exploration.
Self-Discovery: Yoga offers an opportunity to learn about oneself, whether it's noticing body movements, thought patterns, or how breathing synchronizes with motion.
Finding the Right Class: Lori suggests that if the first yoga class doesn’t feel right, one should keep searching for a suitable class but also consider exploring the discomfort as it might indicate an area for personal growth.
Support and Modification: She reassures that yoga teachers will modify poses and use accessible language to accommodate all levels, ensuring a comfortable and beneficial experience for every student.
Staying Open to Experience: Finally, Lori emphasizes the importance of staying open to the experience, suggesting that even discomfort can be a valuable part of the learning process in yoga.
Lori's advice for yoga beginners centers on embracing the practice with curiosity and an open mind, understanding that discomfort can be part of the journey, and the importance of finding a class that resonates with one's needs and comfort level.
43:10 - 49:05 | Navigating Life's Challenges with Yoga: Introducing a Mindful, Adaptable Three-Part Yoga Class Series in Port Elgin
Lisa shifts the conversation to Lori's upcoming three-part yoga series at Lakeshore Recreation in Port Elgin, inquiring about its content and suitability for different levels of yoga practitioners. Lori enthusiastically shares details about the series, designed to help individuals navigate the challenges of the holiday season. Key Points:
Three-Part Yoga Series: The series, set around the holiday season, aims to address the physical and emotional challenges that arise during this busy time, such as disrupted routines and relationship strains.
Principles for Everyday Life: The classes will extend yoga principles from the mat to daily life, focusing on building resilience through movement and guided meditations.
Inclusivity: The series is designed for everyone, regardless of their yoga experience, as it offers self-discovery and resilience-building opportunities.
Teaching Style: Lori describes her teaching style as easy and gentle, viewing herself more as a facilitator who helps release tension and create calm. She emphasizes the profound impact of even the simplest poses when practiced mindfully.
Adaptability: Lori’s approach is influenced by Ayurveda and is adaptable to various factors like season, time of day, and the specific needs of the class demographic, whether children or older adults.
Lori's upcoming yoga series and teaching philosophy highlight the importance of adaptability, mindfulness, and the broader application of yoga principles in managing everyday challenges and stresses.
49:05 - 52:10 | Closing Remarks
Lisa expresses her appreciation to Lori for educating listeners about yoga. She hopes that the discussion has inspired listeners to explore yoga classes, emphasizing the various benefits of yoga, including mindfulness, stress relief, and physical health improvements. Key Points:
Acknowledgment and Appreciation: Lisa thanks Lori for her comprehensive and passionate discussion on yoga, and Lori reciprocates with gratitude for the platform to share her knowledge.
Encouragement to Try Yoga: Lisa encourages listeners, especially those in the Lakeshore area, to participate in Lori's upcoming three-part yoga series starting December 5th, highlighting its potential benefits.
Benefits of Yoga: The conversation underscores yoga's multifaceted nature, offering physical, mental, and emotional benefits, including improved digestion and sleep.
Invitation to Community Group: Lisa invites listeners to join the 'Inspiration to Grow' community on Facebook, a group designed for women focusing on health, wellness, and personal growth, providing resources like journaling prompts, nutrition tips, and fitness exercises.
Empowering Message: Lisa concludes the podcast with an empowering message, encouraging listeners to take the best care of themselves and believe in their limitless potential.
This segment wraps up the podcast with a focus on the extensive benefits of yoga and an invitation for listeners to further engage with the 'Inspiration to Grow' community for continued personal growth and wellness.
JOIN US!: Sip and Flow Yoga Class Dec 21!
About Lisa Oberbichler
Lisa, a Certified Personal Trainer at Lakeshore Recreation, is renowned for her holistic approach to fitness and well-being. With over 30 years of experience in personal development, Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Originally from a small town near Lake Huron, Canada, she spent 25 years in Vienna, Austria, enriching her global perspective. As a passionate life coach, she specializes in empowering women to unlock their full potential, guiding them to overcome fears, boost self-esteem, and pursue their aspirations with confidence. Outside the gym, Lisa is an avid hiker, a budding diver, and a devoted mom to her Jack Russell Terrier, Charlotte. Her unique blend of professional expertise and personal experiences makes her an invaluable asset to the Lakeshore Recreation community.
About Lori Walker
Lori Walker, based out of Lakeshore Recreation, is a dedicated and experienced yoga instructor, renowned for her gentle, accessible, and effective teaching style. With a deep commitment to the practice of yoga and its sister science, Ayurveda, Lori has been immersed in this field since 2013. Her journey in yoga is marked by over 2,500 hours of certifications, reflecting a profound dedication to both learning and teaching. Lori believes in the universal healing power of yoga, advocating that it is suitable for everyone, regardless of age, shape, flexibility, gender, or spiritual beliefs. Her approach to teaching is characterized by an emphasis on ease and gentleness, making yoga an inclusive and transformative experience for all her students. Lori’s classes offer a blend of physical postures, mindful meditation, and breath work, tailored to meet the diverse needs of her students and foster a sense of community. Her passion for yoga extends beyond the mat, as she seeks to inspire her students to embrace yoga as a lifestyle, cultivating balance, strength, and inner peace in their daily lives.
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