Okanagan Golf Vacation - Experience Canada's Sunniest Golf Paradise

The Okanagan valley is Canadas sunniest spot for a golf vacation. Nestled in a scenic mountain valley beside the cobalt waters of 80-mile long Okanagan Lake, the Okanagan valley has one of the longest golfing seasons in Canada. The area is blessed with a Mediterranean-like climate of warm and sunny summers, bracketed by the more temperate, but still sunny, spring and fall seasons. Even on the warmest of days, there is often the welcome moderating effect of a lake breeze.

This happy climate nurtures many thriving orchards and vineyards. The verdant greenery, cascading down the hillsides to the sandy lakeside beaches, makes a wonderful man-made contribution to the incredible natural beauty of the area. The stunning mountain, lake and desert terrain, coupled with fresh, clean air, warm sunshine and world-class golf courses encourages a leisurely, unhurried lifestyle making the Okanagan a prime for golf vacation!

The growing number of high quality wineries in the area has led to a flourishing regional wine scene. This, together with the abundance of fresh locally grown organic produce, has led many award-winning chefs to settle in the area. The delicious result is innovative cuisine that pairs well with delectable regional wines. Why not follow a golf game in the morning with a relaxing, all-inclusive afternoon vineyard tour? Transportation, wine sampling, winery tours and an evening dinner at a winery restaurant are all provided for you- all you have to do is sit back and enjoy! What better way to cap a day on the golf course than to dine al fresco in a winery restaurant surrounded by sun-warmed vineyards?

The championship golf courses themselves are world-class; designed by renowned names such as Les Furber and Jack Nicklaus golden bear design. Whatever type of golfing you choose, a challenging championship course or a couples-friendly resort-type game, the Okanagan is a golf vacation paradise! With a golf courses to suit every mood, the beautiful Okanagan valley scenery and cheerful service is provided for free at every location!

Need some time away from the golf course? The picturesque lakeside town of Kelowna is the center of your Okanagan stay and offers many unique shopping, entertainment and dining experiences. As a popular retirement center, Kelowna has a friendly, unrushed feel to it, while still providing many of the desirable amenities of a bigger city. The towns revitalized and compact Cultural District provides art galleries, concert halls, movie theaters and sporting facilities, all within a short stroll of the popular lakeside promenade.

K. Gordon Schultz
President
http://www.GolfCanadasWest.com

Copyright 2007 golf Canadas West. This article can be reproduced in its entirety, if the author credit and website address is retained.

K. Gordon Schultz is president of Canmore golf & Curling club and the founder of golf Canada's West. His company offers customized golf vacations packages to Alberta and British Columbia being the western Canada's leading golf vacation specialist. Toll free 877 323 3633, or visit http://www.GolfCanadasWest.com

Upper Body Yoga Dvd

Breathing Out Stage Fright

You're stepping onto the stage, amidst opening night flurry and last minute stage directions. In the audience are the director you'd like to work with, the reviewer everyone listens to, and your first acting coach. The blood pumps in your ears, your heart is racing, and your throat is so dry you can't possibly speak your lines. Every muscle is tense and you want to run.

It's called the "fight or flight" response. It's also called stage fright. Stage fright comes in many different forms. For some, it's a nervous energy that disappears as soon as they begin performing, or a familiar sensation that's always under the surface but feels manageable most of the time. For others, it's so debilitating that they can't get through an audition to even be part of a performance.

Stage fright has huge repercussions to the health and well-being of the performer.

Dr. louise Montello of Musicians Wellness, Inc. has worked with injured, blocked and anxious performers for many years, and has developed a rich set of tools that we can use in moments of stress and anxiety.

One of her most powerful techniques, from the yoga tradition, is breath. Breath is a key link between the mind and the body. Our body's autonomic nervous system is made up of the parasympathetic nervous system (related to relaxation, creativity and awareness) and the sympathetic nervous system (related to analytical thinking and action). When we're in "fight or flight" mode, our sympathetic nervous systems are in charge, and our bodies, minds and emotions are locked into battle with an imaginary enemy (while our creative expression gets caught in the crossfire).

Deep breathing and the specific techniques that will be described in this article can reawaken your parasympathetic nervous system.

Note: In yogic breathing exercises, it's important to always breathe in and out through the nose.

1. Diaphragmatic breathing ("belly breathing")

Why? It allows you to move more air into your body and also to send more stale air out on the exhalation.

How? practice this type of breathing while holding your hands on your belly, to feel it expand as you inhale, and contract as you exhale. Your back and sides should expand and contract as well. Watch a baby sleeping to get a really good demonstration of belly breathing.

2. Even breathing

Why? Will smooth out your breathing and help you to feel grounded.

How? Breathe in and out for the same number of counts.

3. Two-to-one breathing

Why? Since exhalation is associated with the parasympathetic nervous system (related to relaxation, creativity and awareness), long exhalations also help to induce relaxation. This exercise is helpful in times of great stress (i.e. auditions).

How? Breathe in for a certain number of counts, and then breathe out for twice as many counts (count evenly in your own time), pushing the breath out from the belly.

4. Alternate nostril breathing

Why? By alternately breathing through our right nostril (connected to our sympathetic nervous system) and our left nostril (connected to our parasympathetic nervous system), we can balance our entire autonomic nervous system.

How? To prepare for this exercise, clear your nostrils by breathing in and out quickly several times in a row (another technique called "cleansing breath"). Now, fold the index finger and middle finger of the right hand into the palm, and use the thumb to close your right nostril and your ring finger to close your left nostril.

Begin by inhaling through both nostrils. Then breathe out through one nostril, while blocking the other, and then switch and breathe in through the other nostril.

After three complete breaths, exhale without switching sides, and do three more breaths. This means you're now inhaling on the opposite side that you started from.

Now rest and breathe deeply and evenly through both nostrils for a few minutes. Then repeat that cycle two more times (with a rest in between), so you've done three cycles in total.

You'll be amazed at the difference these simple breathing exercises can make, with a few short minutes of practice every day. Then, at times of stress, you'll have a valuable tool to support your performance, and all your creative dreams.

Copyright 2005, Linda Dessau. All rights reserved.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. Visit www.preparingforperformance.com for more help with performance anxiety.

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