There is a misconception that you have to “do” meditation and “do it right.” I believe that meditation is about bringing our primary focus into being rather than doing; aim to be with our breath, be with our thoughts, be with our feelings/challenges/pain.
Mindfulness practices focus on being present and aware of what you are feeling, doing and sensing as it is happening. A seated meditation practice offers the opportunity for us to sit and be even though there are infinite things to do.
Here are a few of the benefits of meditation:
Reduces stress by calming the nervous system
Improves memory and learning
Improves sleep quality
Creates feeling of peace, calm and centeredness
Cultivates connection to Self/Source
Enhances creativity and problem solving ability
Creates present moment awareness
Changes your brain structure and function
There is a wide variety of techniques available that include seated meditation, walking meditation, mindfully eating and just about any activity you do can take on a meditative quality and awareness.
Do you want a simple technique to start today? This video introduces a heart meditation practice check it out and begin today!
Meditation creates the space to sit with the full experience of being human, the good, the challenging and everything in between.
The key to develop and maintain a regular practice is to DO IT! No excuses, no stories just begin today and sit for the time you have set aside even if it is 1 minute to start.
Here are 4 tips to support your daily meditation practice. 1. Practice at the same time every day.
This gets your body into a rhythm and it will begin to move easily into a meditative state.
2. Practice in the same location everyday.
This creates an environment that supports you to settle in easily and quickly.
3. Practice the same technique for at least 28-30 days if not longer.
Meditation is designed to help us move past the ordinary consciousness and into deeper states of awareness/being.
4. Set a timer and commit to move towards 15 minutes of daily meditation practice.
I find it helpful to do my practices first thing in the morning and at the end of the day to ensure I have time to practice. If my schedule gets really jammed I wil practice for the length of one full breath…. remember, show up no matter what!
A consistent meditation practice is more important than practicing for one hour per week. Use these tips to help and support you in maintaining a successful practice. Success in meditation means you did the practice, START TODAY!
There are various styles and techniques of meditation, it is important to find one that resonates with you. Here are a few of my favorite teachers and schools of meditation: Clairvision, Sally Kempton & Adyashanti.
I will be introducing a new technique each month on the Facebook group, please send a request to be included if you are interested to join us!
Watch this short video for tips to support your meditation practice.
What is Therapeutic Yoga (also known as Yoga Therapy)?
Therapeutic Yoga is a system of yoga that focuses on aligning and integrating the body, mind and heart. It supports clients to bring the structure of the body into optimal alignment with the flow of gravity to create ease, balance, strength and flexibility.
Who needs Therapeutic Yoga?
Therapeutic yoga is ideal for clients who are recovering from injury, surgery or have a limitation that would be best managed in a one-to-one session.
How does it work?
1. We start with an assessment of the current state and create a plan for healing. We asnwer the question where do they want to be?
2. I teach the client how to breathe fully and freely.(Pranayama = breathing practice)
3. I teach the client about the anatomy of the body and the optimal alignment.
4. We practice basic alignment and build a home practice. (Which is most often focued our your everyday posture)
Can I do therapeutic yoga if I have never done yoga before?
YES! We always start at the beginning with how a client sits, stands and walks. Each home practice routine is designed for the individual to focus on what is working and build the strength or flexibility that is needed to improve the condition.
Watch this short view with more details:
Therapeutic Yoga (Yoga Therapy) is a powerful tool to support your health and to increase your vitality.
What tools do you use to recover from injury, surgery or to navigate limitations?
Monday August 15th is Anusara Yoga‘s 14th birthday and this feel like an extra special celebration since I have been practicing for 10 years and it has been a KEY component in my healing, as well my personal and professional growth.
John Friend is my primary teacher and guide on this path who is the founder and visionary of Anusara Yoga and the leader of the community of bohemian artist that I love. Ask me any day of the week for my favorite reason for loving and practicing Anusara and I could carry on and on.
Here are my top 14 favorite teachings I have learned from Anusara Yoga:
1. Awareness, breath and movement can heal my body, mind and heart.
2. Dedication to seeing the good in all people and situations is liberating.
3. Choice is an empowered practice to deepen connection and expression.
4. This life experience is a blessing to be enjoyed.
5. Everything is ONE energy in a diversity of forms.
6. Therapeutic Yoga is an elegant system of aligning the heart, mind body for vibrant health.
7. Yoga can be a FUN, powerful and grace-filled practice.
8. Obstacles are opportunities.
9. Communities can support radiant, brilliant hearts to be brighter than stars.
10. Living is a spiritual opportunity.
11. Our greatest challenges can be our greatest teachers.
12. The more I can soften the stronger I am.
13. Yoga is a practice of an artistically expressing the truth of my being.
14. The journey is a full spectrum of experiences, emotions and possibilities.
I am thrilled to be offering a Yoga & Music celebration at YogaKula in Berkeley this Monday the 15th from 6:00-7:30, please join us!
