February is Heart Health Month: Rethinking the Connection Between Heart Health and Sleep

We are halfway through February, the month when we are reminded to pay attention to our hearts. While mainstream campaigns emphasize medication and clinical interventions, more people are asking how to support cardiovascular health using natural approaches like “food as medicine”, movement that feels good, and other options that work naturally with the body instead of against it. These are all good things but, the vital connection between heart health and sleep is often ignored.

Sleep and circadian rhythm is when the heart slows, blood pressure drops, and repair happens but getting enough sleep is often treated as optional. Prioritizing sleep before sunrise (consistent with our natural circadian biology) supports cortisol regulation, which directly impacts arterial plaque formation. So, establishing a regular bedtime routine like putting down your devices, listening to pink or brown noise, and even wearing blue light blocking glasses two hours before bedtime isn’t just trendy – it’s cardioprotective.

For the remainder of February and beyond, focus on getting a good night’s sleep. Anyone who has a heart will benefit from it! 

-Jennifer Green

LYFE IS GREEN

Yoga is more than a physical workout, it teaches you how to navigate stress and adversity. We like to describe it as building a “resiliency muscle.” During practice, as we move through postures and focus on the breath, we are also processing our day and our lives. We practice finding focus while holding space for the many facets of our experiences that shape who we are.

Mobility is essential throughout our lifespan and should not be overlooked. While yoga is often associated with flexibility, true joint health requires both mobility and stability. Stability is just as important as range of motion. Our classes are designed to build strong, stable, and functional bodies, bodies that support us in daily life and allow us to continue doing the things we love for years to come.

One of our values at The Elevate Company is to serve the lifespan, from babies and children, to teenagers, adults in the beginning, middle, and end of their careers, new parents, grandparents, and retired older adults. We offer 40+ group classes per week, with options for all levels, bodies, and ages. We have classes with little to no movement designed to calm the nervous system (Elevate Restorative), longer-held stretch classes which target the connective tissue (Elevate Yin), and several vinyasa flow options (Elevate Power 1, 1.5, 2, and 3, and Mudita Flow). We also offer yoga and dance fusion classes (Elevate BUTI Yoga), as well as strength-based and cardio-focused classes (Elevate Fit Flow). Beyond adult group classes, we offer children’s yoga weekly and classes specifically designed to support new parents. 

Not everyone wants to practice in a group setting and for the right person private yoga is great option. We offer this too. Private yoga sessions are available and can be a powerful option for individuals with physical concerns, injuries, or specific goals. Our founder, Dr. Laura Mary Linsley, utilizes her background in biomechanics and anatomy and helps meet each individual exactly where they are to create a private plan that works for the individual. We do a full evaluation and put together a yoga practice plan for you based on our evaluation session. 

We are a registered yoga school and offer several high level trainings per year. Our 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training is a 9-week program that teaches individuals how to teach yoga, it is a deep dive into the what-why-and-how of teaching yoga. We also offer specialty teacher trainings, including our 55-Hour Yin and Restorative Yoga Teacher Training and our 55-Hour Yoga Fit Flow Teacher Training. 

In addition to our weekly schedule and private sessions, we host special classes, workshops, and of course, teacher trainings throughout the year. These include offerings such as our four-week goal-setting series (Elevate Goal Chasers) and a Yoga and Writing workshop series (Elevate Tell Your Story). New additions this year include a two-week strength, agility, and plyometrics program (Elevate Better Than Bootcamp) and Yoga Lit, The Elevate Company Book Club. 

When we say there is something for everyone, we truly mean it. We’ve had individuals find a suitable class for them while recovering from a broken leg with a full cast. Whether you currently practice yoga or not, there is a class here for you.

All classes and programs can be viewed and booked through our app (The Elevate Company, available in the app store and on Google Play), or on our website (https://www.theelevatecompany.com/). The app is the easiest way to manage bookings and stay connected.

We are thrilled to host the Benicia Chamber of Commerce members at our studio for a free class on Saturday, February 21st at 1:00 PM. Doors open at 12:30 PM, please pre-book class on our app or website. We will have light refreshments and snacks after class. 

Bay Area Air District - Virtual Grant Info Session

Local Community Benefits Fund Grant Information Session

for Benicia and Surrounding Communities

Wednesday, February 18

6:00 p.m.

Online (Zoom)

The Bay Area Air District will host a public information session to provide an overview of the Local Community Benefits Fund. This grant program reinvests penalty funds from air quality violations into communities most impacted by air pollution.

This session will focus on Benicia and nearby communities. During the presentation, Air District staff will review:

• Program goals and eligible project types
• Grant categories and funding ranges
• Eligibility requirements for Benicia and surrounding communities
• The application timeline and submission process
• Available applicant support and technical assistance

The session is intended for nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribes, schools, unions, and other eligible entities interested in applying for funding.

For full program details, application materials, and official updates, visit the Community Investments Office webpage:

https://www.baaqmd.gov/en/community-health/community-investments-office