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
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Create Your Health Mentality
In a webinar (link below) on staying fit in the "COVID" era we panelists were asked for three things we could recommend people do to stay "fit." As I listened to other contributors share their ideas, I realized my yoga practice gave me a unique perspective on not only what I considered to be fitness but what the line items on the fitness to-do list would be. During class that week I spoke to those ideas (see video below).
Instead of specifics about what exercises to do, or what plans to follow, or how to set goals, I believe that the focus needs to lie in a practice of knowing where you are in your mind and body on any given day. So whether you are in the middle of a global pandemic (as we are as of May 28, 2020) trying to find new ways to exercise with gyms closed, working on bettering our own fitness level, or just starting out with any kind of movement practice, I believe applying these three concepts can help create a better "health mentality."
1. Breathe
Literally, take a breath. Feel the inhale, and feel the exhale. In yoga, the practice of breathing is called Pranayama, and it has as much importance in yoga as the poses, and as the meditation. We can go without food and water for far longer periods than we can without breath. Each inhale and exhale changes our blood pressure, our blood pH level, and stimulates different aspects of our nervous system.
If we take the time to put a pause between what we observe happening in our lives, and how we react to them, we give ourselves an opportunity to act with more forethought, more compassion, more mindfulness, and less regret.
When we take a long exhale, we immediately destress. Our heart rate slows, tension leaves our shoulders, our bellies relax. Deeper inhales can awaken the body and refresh. Longer exhales balance the body's CO2 levels; we get a chance to exercise the lungs, the diaphragm, and the intercostal muscles between the ribs.
Breathing is fundamental. Breath is life.
2. Try
Try an activity that works for you. Yoga, walking, pilates, cycling, zumba, barre; try something. Try something new if you feel that you are in a rut. Some people crave routine, going to gym or same class ever day at the same time every week.
As of the writing of this post, we have all been unable to continue with our regular routines. Even I was not a fan of "online yoga" classes because I did not like doing videos by myself. But with the plethora of live online classes, and needing to move, not only did I start teaching online classes but taking them as well. I also starting watching pre-recorded videos to find out which ones might be worth keeping in the tool belt for when I'm unable in the future to get to a live class.
The point is that we need to try, rather than begrudge the situation. We never know what curve life will hand you. An injury can drastically change how and what we are able to move, so being open to trying something (new) is imperative.
Trying things that are new and struggling for mastery can be frustrating for those that like a sense of success. So I offer the idea that the trying is the success. Expectations for mastery are rooted in ego (pride). Practice is the tool by which we improve, and perfection is an illusion.
The wonderful thing is, if frustration overwhelms the joy in the attempt, you can try something new again. If at first you don't succeed...
3. Nourish
Healthy eating is essential. A poorly nourished body cannot repair itself in times of illness, and the brain cannot function optimally. For the clearest thinking, and in order to give yourself every opportunity for success, not just in fitness, it's imperative to put in the right ingredients and to properly hydrate the body machine every day.
But this isn't just about food and water. Nourishment comes from feeding the mind and the spirit. During this time of social isolation, many dread being alone. Nourishing our need for social interaction and companionship requires creativity. Social media can be used for connecting with friends (rather than reading stressful news). Phone calls versus texts can provide much needed interaction. Online social group meetings, yoga classes, church services even proms have come into fashion to enable introverts and extroverts alike the ability to connect to people outside their own homes. It's commendable how many institutions have embraced technology to bring their communities together.
Nourish your mind with good books, crossword puzzles, music, and dance. Nourish your skin with massage and lotion. Nourish your relationships with and exchange of loving words, or a shared activity. Nourish your spirituality with prayer and meditation.
Try (there's that word again) something new to feed your soul!
The Practice
We are living in a time of crisis that for me (in my acknowledged privileged situation) is a first. I'm grateful I can sit here in health, with a roof over my head, and type this post. I can't ignore the impact this crisis is having on people I know, so I wrote this hoping that maybe these three tips might offer someone practical information, so they can get through another day, be there for their family and friends, stay healthy so they can go to work, or simply feel strong enought to be a supportive community member.
Even if we weren't being bombarded by health reports and press conferences and worrisome statistics about COVID-19, daily life still has a lot of stress. That's when it's even more important to take a deep breath, try something new, and nourish your spirit. Pause. Sit down. Take 10 slow deep breaths. Decide the next step that feels right. What will it be for you today?
Listen to the entire Becker Group C-Suite Reports Business Leadership Webinar: "Staying Physically Fit in the COVID-19 Era" (May 2020): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-podcasts/id525463029
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