Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/162471
realadvice Wedding Workouts B.C.'s best places to get fit and healthy for the big day — and beyond By Catherine Roscoe Barr Illustration by Rachel Gordon Go for Yoga P lanning a wedding can be stressful and exhausting. Increasing your physical fitness will not only ensure you look and feel fabulous on your big day, but exercise has been shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, increase the "happy" hormone serotonin and boost both your immunity and your energy — so you can take on any new challenge with grace. You're sure to discover something in our roundup of fitness venues across the province that will inspire you to stick to a workout routine. 28 Yoga benefits your flexibility, strength and cardiovascular fitness, with the added bonus of turning your attention inward to reflect on body, mind and soul — ideal for cultivating calm when the frenetic pace of wedding planning sets your head spinning. Iyengar yoga is a precise and disciplined form of yoga with instructors requiring at least three years of training before becoming certified, and the extensive use of props makes it accessible for everyone. Check out The Yoga Space in Vancouver (theyogaspace.ca), the Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria (iyengaryogacentre.ca) or the Kelowna Yoga House (kelownayogahouse.org). YYoga (yyoga.ca) has eight studios across the Lower Mainland and Whistler, and offers over a dozen different styles of yoga including hatha, ashtanga and kundalini, plus Pilates and core classes. Many of YYoga's spa-like studios also feature a range of wellness services like massage and naturopathic medicine, as well as complimentary infrared saunas. Vancouver's Chopra Yoga Centre (choprayoga.com) has its roots in meditation and is the only studio in the city with a dedicated meditation room. In addition to a wide range of yoga classes, wellness services and the Organic Lives café, they offer a number of signature classes like Yoga Barre and Cho Fit. Hit the Gym Fitness centres are excellent if you crave variety, with an array of services that can include personal training, group fitness classes, aquatics and sport programs. R EA L WEDDINGS pg22-31_Real_Experience_Advice.indd 28 12-09-24 12:36 PM