Healthy Living

Sacred Space

Posted by in Yoga Etiquette

Create a sanctuary for your yoga practice so that you may surrender in to the natural light of your internal healer. I’m visiting my family in Atlanta, Georgia.  Bless their hearts, but my parents don’t practice or understand the transformational experience of yoga asana.  (not yet at least) Nonetheless, I continue my daily practice here and I’m learning ways to create a sacred and safe space for my practice in foreign settings. Specifically, I’m learning that sometimes this requires dialogue with others so that they may respect the space and…read more

Jan.21
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Follow-through

Posted by in Asana Practice

Take a moment and check in with your body. Feel your right arm.  Now feel your left leg.  Focus on your right pointer finger.  Now pay attention to your left ear. Did you notice a difference in your experience of the now as you focused on different parts of the body?  I bring your attention to this because the way we conceptualize the body in our minds affects how we experience our SELF.  Do you experience yourself as a unified whole or a component of parts?  How does this affect your understanding…read more

Jan.20
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Child’s Pose

Posted by in Yoga for Kids

Asana Practice: The last few days I’ve spent time with my cousin’s beautiful children and had the joy of watching yoga unfold naturally in a young human body.   I hear stories from parents regularly about how much their kids love watching yoga videos and following along.  I can’t wait to be able to share this with my own kids someday and perhaps teach these little yogis and yoginis in the meantime.  

Jan.19
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Jan.18
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Fifteen Minute Fix (Vol II: Made for Runners)

Posted by in Fifteen Minute Fix, Weight Training

Runners, save your legs by applying this Fifteen Minute Fix immediately after a run. It is tempting to skip a post-run stretch.  As a personal trainer, I encourage my clients to embrace a quick asana sequence as a vital part of their running program. I believe that it is worth cutting your run 10-15 minutes short, and dedicating this time to yoga, to guarantee that your body remains open and integrated.  A fifteen minute post-run fix prevents injury, increases recovery, and optimizes your workout. If you are running short on time,…read more

8 Limbs of Yoga

Posted by in 8 Limbs of Yoga

Here is a quick look at the 8 Limbs of Yoga:   Yama : Universal morality Niyama : Personal observances Asanas : Body postures Pranayama : Breathing exercises, and control of prana Pratyahara : Control of the senses Dharana : Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness Dhyana : Devotion, Meditation on the Divine Samadhi : Union with the Divine

Jan.16
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Face Exercises (Vol 1: Savasana)

Posted by in Face Yoga, Focus: One Asana at a Time

Don’t forget about the muscles in your face. I have been developing a practice I can “Face Yoga”.  I plan on using this blog as a forum for sharing it. Asana Practice: When you lay down for savasana, take a moment and open the muscles of the face.  I usually start out by smiling.  Wherever you notice tension try to relax and open. I enjoy contracting and expanding the muscles of the face over and over again.  The goal is to feel freedom as you smile. Smiling releases healthy hormones and…read more

Jan.15
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Jan.14
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The Fifteen Minute Fix (Vol 1. Morning Mayhem)

Posted by in Fifteen Minute Fix

Do not let a tight schedule discourage you from practicing yoga.  There are benefits that can be gained from short bursts of asana practice. [This entry is part of a series that looks at how your life can benefit from quick bursts of asana practice.  Keep an eye out for additional entries.] If you have a traditional 9-5 job, or work even longer hours, you might find it difficult to get an entire asana practice in before your make the mad rush to the office. A quick fifteen minute fix,…read more

Surrender to Circumstance

Posted by in Adventure, Meditation

Trust in the universe.  When circumstance demands a specific response, take notice,  there are lessons requesting your attention. Asana Practice: My wrist is quite injured, but rather than fret, I’m following my body’s lead and learning new ways to sequence a class. Specifically, I’m avoiding all upward and downward dogs and creating new vinyasa sequences.  Camel pose or ustrasana, is a great go-to backbend, and standing forward fold replaces downward dog. Standing split is a great transition between forward fold and standing poses such as lunge and the warrior poses.  …read more

Jan.13
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Never Stop Exploring

Posted by in Meditation, Self Help

Whether you are traveling the globe or standing on your mat, remain curious and aware for around every corner is a new discovery. Asana Practice: My wrist injury prevents me from putting any weight on my right hand.  Therefore, I’m taking things very slow and focusing on going deep. I’m currently in Aruba where the weather is very warm with a nice breeze.  This helps my body open up with less effort.  Specifically, I’m spending time opening up my psoas, hip flexers, hamstrings, and doing deep twists. I am keeping things…read more

Jan.12
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