This meditation/video short clip was taken from a longer yoga class, but I thought there was some interesting content that deserved its own post. I was having a really rough go of it, and thought I would share my discomfort in the context of a yoga practice. We often talk how in our training we try to ground ourselves and bring in light, but what if you just feel not so full of light? Sometimes you feel downright cruddy.
I'ts at In those times, that stepping on to your mat (or sitting down on your cushion) to take a pause, I think, is even more important in order to deescalate your own response to crappy situation. It can stop you from causing more harm (to yourself, or someone else) in the spirit of Ahimsa, it can give you a moment to detach from the issue, and to study the feelings you are having for future reference. This self-study, called Svadhyaya, requires us to observe our emotions, and sit with even the ones that make us uncomfortable.
Without this introspection, without the ability to take that pause, we at the mercy of whimsy and unbridled emotion: mindlessness. What is a yoga practice if not training oneself to be more mindful?
Your comments welcome, as always. Thanks for tuning in.
Monday, June 29, 2020
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Yoga for Mental Health
Cindy Beers and the Mental Health Toolbox
I've written a bit about having a healthy mindset during not just these trying times, but I wanted to share with you an amazing course from a fellow yogi with training in anxiety, depression, and PTSD. She's offering this "Mental Health Toolbox" as an online course, normally priced $300, but now just for $25, with unlimited access so you can look up the information and recharges yourself any time you need it. Here's what it covers:
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/Tapping) – EFT is using acupuncture points with your fingers to help relax the central nervous system
• Meditation –mantra-based meditation helps the mind from racing, keeps one present, and calms the central nervous system
• Pranayama (breath) – there are three different breathing techniques to help simply relax the sympathetic nervous system
• Chakras – understand what chakras are and how they can be used to identify issues within the body
• Affirmations – using affirmations to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts
• Body Positivity – and how you view your own body
• Self-Compassion – how to have it and how to keep it
Click here to learn more and sign up for this amazing workshop.
Cindy also has a number of live online classes you can join https://redheadyoga.com/online-classes/ as well as online meditations and pre-recorded videos to tune up your practice https://redheadyoga.com/other-services/videos-guided-meditations/.
Diane Ambrosini talks about the "Now Normal"
Diane is a mentor of mine, a master instructor from my yoga school, and a friend. She sends out a newsletter for her yoga teaching practice and today's had some particularly poignant words that I'd like to share:Not long after we received notice by the State to make mandatory changes to our daily lives due to Covid-19, I noticed a surge of people asking, "when will our lives go 'back to normal'?" Sheltering at home, limiting outings and wearing protective masks, to name a few, were/are so foreign to us as creatures of habit. Wishing for "normalcy" seems a pretty natural response considering the disruption of our routines, coupled with the fear of this new, invading organism.But - what exactly IS normal? Pandemic or no pandemic, every day we've been alive has been different from the one we lived the day before, and will live tomorrow. Sure, the structure of our daily patterns may have felt the same, but each and every day has been different in some way. Yet, here we are now, living in a time that is FAR different than what we expected, and were living at the beginning of this year. The topsy-turvy nature of our recent reality brings a great deal of uncertainty, as our human brains try to make sense out of what's happening and what might happen next.In "normal" times and in stressful times, yoga and meditation teach us the importance of presence, and of being as fully aware as possible in the here-and-now. Through mindfulness exercises, we practice acceptance of "what is" at any given moment. These important practices are a training ground of sorts, where we develop the ability to increase our capacity to handle the stresses and strains of living a human existence. Through our yoga, we learn to embrace the full spectrum of life as we live it. We find ways to create a space for ourselves (and others) to process the emotions and energies that surface in times of discomfort. We then can recognize that we have the ability to receive life as it comes to us, and accept that "now" as normal, even as it changes in the next breath.
You can find Diane teaching streaming classes through A Gentle Way Joyful movement center, or reach out to her directly to arrange access and payment for the classes. The schedule is listed here: https://di4yoga.com/services/
She also does an fun "Wine Down Wednesday" activity that pre-Shelter-in-Place was at a local winery. Now you can enjoy a full yoga practice and your favorite beverage without having to worry about calling an Uber after. Next session is June 24 from 6-8pm; you can sign up here https://di4yoga.as.me/?appointmentType=14352961
Monday, June 15, 2020
Abilities Expo Goes Virtual! June 19-21 - Free Registration
BYOMyoga is proud to provide on-demand yoga workshops on meditation, movement, and mindfulness, fully captioned for all abilities levels, ON DEMAND for the entire weekend of the Abilities Virtual Expo. Be sure to register for access to these programs and more, like creating sensory rooms, designing ability-supportive home spaces, mental and physical health, and fundraising.
We're Going Virtual
No need for masks or gloves, and you can connect with the disability-focused resources you need day or night in your pajamas. Take that, COVID-19! Until it's safe to meet in person again, we look forward to seeing the digital you at the Abilities Virtual Experience. Register for free today!
Find Products & Services
Visit exhibitor "booths" to learn what exciting technologies they have to offer. There will be product images, videos and special exhibitor events to engage you. Have a question? Your click is their command!
Attend Info-Packed Workshops
Our experts are almost as excited for this virtual format as we are! Access on-demand workshops on a such important disability issues as nutrition, financial planning for special needs families, affording the medical equipment you need, therapeutic cannabis, service dogs and more.
Good Times for the Whole Family
We are packing a ton of adaptive fun into your Abilities Virtual Experience! From the comfort of your living room, you can join the Rollettes dance party. You can improve strength and flexibility with adaptive yoga. How about learning a paracheer routine? Settle in...it's going to be a blast!
Register for free today: https://www.abilities.com/virtual/register.html#form
Future on-location expos:
- Phoenix: September 11-13, 2020
- Toronto: October 2-4, 2020
- Houston: October 30-November 1, 2020
- Dallas: December 11-13, 2020
- Los Angeles: Feb 26-28, 2021
- New York Metro: April 30-May 2, 2021
- Chicago: June 25-27, 2021
- Miami: November 5–7, 2021
Friday, June 12, 2020
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)