Classes

Family Time Magazine
September 2005
Bilingual Monterey County
Free copies for schools and businesses: 831.754.4172

Susana McGuire’s class does yoga on the beach in Marina

The Me Issue
How to renew your spirit and be a better parent

Cover Story
Take Time for You
Finding a few moments to relax and do something you love will make you – and your kids- happier.

Written by Leslie Escobar
Traduccion de Victor Almazan
Photos by Scott MacDonald

Yoga instructor Susana McGuire leads a class August 14 on the beach in Marina

For a few months, maybe life has been a little more hectic than usual. But with the start of the school year, now is the perfect time to relax. If you’ve got a day to yourself, try a yoga class. If you’ve got a younger child who’s still home during the day, a stroll around the neighborhood can have the same therapeutic function.

Either way, it’s important to find time to unwind, said Lois Panziera, a marriage and family therapist at Time for Change in Salinas.

“A lot of times people say their favorite thing to do is something, but they haven’t done that thing for three months,” Panziera said. “Try walks on the beach, taking up a new hobby, horseback riding. Usually activities help people relax more than lounging around.”

Panziera said it’s also important to reconnect with your husband or wife. Spend time together, either at home or out somewhere.

“Spend more time together talking, making sure the relationship is a priority,” she said. “And make sure they’re working as a team in their parenting in their parenting, supporting one another. When parents are happy, usually the kids are happy.”

And although the fall season doesn’t always mean an automatic excess of free time, there are other ways to take advantage.

Spreckels resident Maribel Pierce said she uses the time when her 6-year old son, Anthony, is in school to spend with her 1-year old daughter, Brianna.

“Even though there’s a big age difference, they get on each other’s nerves,” she said of the two. “I’ll have more time for my daughter. I’ll be able to go over a few things and teach her more.”

Pierce also is hoping to have more time for herself too.

“I like gardening,” she said. “I’ve been trying to work on a vegetable garden or walk and work out.”

If you have more time and a few dollars to spend, joining a gym or taking a yoga class or two might by good choices.

Susana McGuire, a Monterey-based yoga instructor, teaches several classes, including one on the beach outside the Marina Dunes Resort.

“Yoga is a proven stress reducer for the mind, body and spirit,” McGuire said. “It rejuvenates and stretches your body and relaxes your brain.” The beach atmosphere isn’t bad either.

“The sound of the waves has a natural ability to calm the entire nervous system,” McGuire said. “We also see dolphins and sea lions out there, hang gliders over your head and the feeling of the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. You feel alive.”

Ideas for Relaxing
Try a yoga class on the beach:
This one-hour class is offered at the Marina Dunes Resort at 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. It’s open to the public and costs $10 per session. For more information call: 1-877-944-3863

Run or take a walk outside:
A walk around the neighborhood might be all you need. If you have more time, the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail runs from Marina to Pacific Grove and can be a good way to get outside and relax at the same time. Plus, the 29-mile path is friendly for runners, bikers or even those just pushing a stroller around.

Spend a day at the beach:
Reading or hanging out with friends on the beach also is a cheap, easy way to relax. Try Marina State Beach, Monterey Beach, Carmel Beach or Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove.

Other relaxation tips from parents:
-Knit or sew
-Work on crafts
-Read
-Watch a movie
-Take a bubble bath
-Update photo albums with summer pictures

Back to Schedule

Susana McGuire Certified Yoga Instructor
831.239.2594, PO box 2273, Monterey, California 93942
durgadelight@yahoo.com