Understanding Stress & The Vagus Nerve Emotional and Physical wellbeing are intimately linked. If we are in chronic pain, it can be hard to be joyful, happy, and interested in connecting with others. Conversely, if we are well-rested, well-fed, and in good physical shape, we feel good and want to be socially active. It …
Read MoreIf you are new to yoga and you’re concerned about learning in a group setting, try these ten yoga poses for beginners to get started on your own! Once you build your confidence and experience you can begin to try out a group setting. Developing a home practice is important. It’s helpful to keep a …
Read More10 Practices To Cultivate Hope We are entering a space between stories. A space where it is important to practice cultivating hope. Something hurts in there. Can you feel it? We are one earth, one tribe, one people, and we are all in this together. We all go through times in life that challenge …
Read More4 Practices To Create Calm During The Coronavirus Pandemic We are being forced to hit the “pause” button as the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic is unfolding. The situation is inconvenient, and it is scary. Uncertainty about finances and health is causing stress levels to rise. In the long run, the unknown can take a toll on …
Read MoreAs the world’s scientists and leaders work to contain this new Coronavirus strain, develop a vaccine, and discover other treatments and measures, the Coronavirus outbreak is likely to continue to spread. There is a lot that is unknown at this point. More people are feeling unsafe and experiencing a heightened stress level. As a health …
Read MoreYoga is about being present in the moment and being part of all that is. Being in nature helps us to make that connection. The benefits of practicing yoga outdoors are many. Whether in the mountains, at the beach, or even your backyard, the benefits of practicing yoga outdoors include bringing new elements and …
Read MoreAs the New Year and New Decade begin, you may be thinking about how this year will be different. You may set resolutions and make plans for change. This is also a good time to practice mindfulness. Taking time to get present can help us in knowing where we want to go and how best …
Read MoreIn my last journal post (link to post), we covered how to cultivate positivity and gain more resilience in our lives. Now let us turn our attention on how to counteract negativity. We know that we cannot entirely escape negativity in our lives. We also know from the research that “faking it” is just as bad (if not worse) than negativity. So what can we do to counteract negativity?
Read MoreYou hear it all the time. Maybe it’s from a friend, a family member, or a coworker; or maybe it’s from your spouse. They proclaim that their lives have been changed for the better due to their yoga practice.
Read MoreIf you have been thinking about beginning a yoga practice but feel uncomfortable going to a group class or don’t know where to start with a home practice, this yoga for beginners blog is for you!
Read MoreInfertility is a sensitive topic and my heart goes out to anyone who has struggled with this issue. I remember the depth of pain in hearing someone tell me that it just wasn’t going to happen. I remember the heart breaking ups and downs that went along with the journey. Our stories may all …
Read MoreOver the past few months I have engaged my students in trying different yoga mats to get their input and preferences. With the generous assortment of mats provided by YogaOutlet.com, we tested mats from various manufacturers such as Jade, Manduka, Sol (by Gaiam), Gaiam, and La Vie Boheme. There were 3 travel mats, a heavy-duty practice …
Read MoreIn part one of this series we covered the importance of the breath in providing prana or vital energy to the physical and subtle layers of the body. Flowing through nadi’s or energy channels throughout the body and through energy centers known as chakra’s the quality of the breath sets the tone for the state …
Read MoreToo much time at the keyboard, behind the wheel, and too much stress in our lives can cause our bodies to become closed and tight, especially in the chest. Heart opening yoga poses can help keep your shoulders lifted and your heart space open. There are many different heart opening yoga poses offering gentle and deep …
Read MoreEvery January, the possibilities held by the next 12 months yawn open. That fresh calendar spurs many of us to set lofty new goals for our lives. Our interior voices whisper: This year, it’s going to be different. Sometimes our goals are ones we’ve set before, and sometimes they are fresh and new, but they all have …
Read MoreI am so humbled to say that Hope’s Yoga has been chosen by Atlanta Magazine (based on voting by you) as the Reader’s Choice – Best Of Atlanta for Yoga Outside the Perimeter for 2014! The “2014 Best of Atlanta” issue of Atlanta Magazine will be out this week and the listing will also be on their website. Yoga …
Read MoreMy latest is up at MindBodyGreen — 7 Common Reasons for Not Practicing Yoga! You may recall using some of these yourself (especially # 3) and/or you may have heard many of them from those around you. Number 1 was my “go-to” before I ever got on the mat. Please take a moment to read and share! Did …
Read MoreIf you have planned a beach trip for the summer, you have probably looked at websites and brochures that feature a photo of a person on the beach, gracefully settled into Warrior II and silhouetted against a blazing orange sunset. And you thought to yourself, “Ooh! That looks so relaxing and fun. I want to …
Read MoreMy sister-in-law and I share a love of yoga. I recently took a road trip to Fairhope, Alabama (one of the prettiest small towns in the south) to visit her for a “yoga weekend”. We had a great weekend practicing together with Augusta Kantra and Roth Gates. I had been hearing how great Augusta’s classes were for quite …
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