Yoga & Other Musings
Patience in Practice
I consider myself to be a pretty patient person (or so I’ve been told) AND I know that I can also lack patience and be impatient. I often want things to happen more quickly even though I know some things just take time. I use my yoga practice regularly to help me...
Hope
If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope. Let it be hope that better things are always ahead. Let it be hope that you can get through even the toughest of times. Let it be hope that you are stronger than any challenge that comes your...
Yoga Philosophy – Niyamas: Tapas (Austerity)
Austerity…yikes! This word might bring to mind all sorts of things you’ve heard about extreme yoga like fasting, hours of yoga practice, celibacy to name a few. However, Tapas also translates as heat, fire, light or discipline. “…refers to the psychic energy...
The Niyamas: Svadhyaya – Self Study
The fourth Niyama is Svadhyaya, the study of the self. “Yoga is the journey of the Self, through the Self, to the Self.” -The Bhagavad Gita The work or practice we do on the mat is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to yoga. On the mat work helps us to see,...
Simple IS Your Super Power
“Keep It Simple Stupid - Yoga” was one of the books my yoga teacher recommended to me when I shared with her that I wanted to be a yoga teacher. My first thought was, “wow! Really?” However, I did what she recommended and am so glad I did. Bottom-line, the book...
Courage
Courage is the ability to do something even if it frightens you. It is different from fearlessness and it is a muscle that can be trained. Brene Brown writes in “The Gifts of Imperfection”, “Courage is…a habit, a virtue: You get it by courageous acts. It’s like you...
Forgiveness
The Stanford Forgiveness Project has shown that forgiveness reduces stress, reduces anger, improves the health of your heart and in general is good for your physical and psychological well-being. Forgiveness is also linked to hope, self-confidence and compassion. And,...
Yoga Therapy: BREATHE to regulate your vagus nerve
Regulate my what? You might not even know that you have a Vagus Nerve. However, when you have stress or chronic pain your sympathetic nervous system activates (unfortunately, NOT like the Wonder Twins!) and causes all sorts of changes in the body. Changes like...
Yoga Therapy: Feet Up The Wall Pose
One of the most effective restorative yoga poses is called Feet Up the Wall Pose or Viparita Karani. This is one of the easiest ways to turn yourself upside down without having to do a handstand or headstand and it’s just as, if not more than beneficial for the mind...
The Niyamas: Saucha (Purity)
The Yamas and Niyamas aim to release any blocks to the flow of energy and well-being in our lives. The Yamas guide us in living with ourselves and others. The Niyamas are all about YOU. Saucha, the first Niyama, is often defined as purity or cleanliness. This includes...