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Archive for the ‘ Yoga ’ Category

 

Meditation: The New Vegetable in Town

February 11th, 2024

Meditation is an ancient practice that trains the mind to observe and regulate its own activity. It has been used for centuries by Hindu and Buddhist practitioners to cultivate attention, insight, and spirituality (1,2). More recently, meditation has been adopted and adapted by Western science and medicine as a way to enhance well-being, reduce stress, and improve health (1). Why Meditate? Is it worth the hype? There is a growing body of evidence that supports the benefits of meditation for various physical and mental conditions, including (3-6): Alzheimer’s Disease. Anxiety. Cardiovascular... Read More

Thanksgiving Yoga: Happy Selves, Happy Cells

November 19th, 2023

The cells in our bodies regenerate at different rates; in our hips, the cells completely regenerate about every seven years. As emotional centers, our hips store a lot of information including feelings, emotions, experiences, and relationships. Seven years. That’s seven years of family meetings. Seven Thanksgivings. Seven years of table time with family or friends. Take that how you will. This could be exciting or concerning news. No matter what the past seven years’ worth of cells in your hips might tell you, you’re always regenerating cells, so you can start creating happy emotional centers... Read More

New To Yoga? A 3-Step Beginner’s Guide For Starting Out

November 8th, 2023

  I remember the first time I unrolled a yoga mat. I was eighteen years old, shy, and slightly terrified. This feeling is not uncommon. In fact, it’s quite normal when tackling unfamiliar territory of any kind. Yoga, as a discipline, is made up of several unique layers, with Asana (physical postures) being one of, if not the most popular (alongside meditation: Dhyana). As a multifaceted practice, it may feel overwhelming to know where to begin if you’re a new student. What approach do you take first in order to reap benefits in the long run without hindrance? For the purposes of introducing... Read More

A Guide to Restorative Yoga

July 14th, 2023

You’ve seen it lurking on the studio schedule. You’ve heard it’s relaxing and can help relieve stress. So why are you avoiding it? Restorative yoga is an ultra-relaxing, “sleepover”-style of yoga that can include lots of props like blankets, bolsters, blocks, straps, and pillows, making it feel like a sleepy slumber party. I’ve heard students say they don’t want to go to restorative yoga classes because they want to go to yoga to workout. True, restorative yoga isn’t much in terms of a workout for your body. However, restorative yoga offers something most of our Western-culture... Read More

Calming the Inner Storm: A 20-Minute Meditation for Reduced Stress

May 14th, 2023

I was already up the mountain when it hit. Out of nowhere, it came rushing in—dark, gray, ominous clouds. At first, I was hopeful that it would all blow over quickly so that I might enjoy my rendezvous longer. It was noon, and based on my earlier report, the storm wouldn’t approach until 3 pm. But alas, what was now boiling up in the sky was here to stay, and at the first flash of white, I knew I had to get down the mountain to safety. No sense in remaining at what was close to being the highest point. No point in being stagnant. It was either stay or leave, so I retrieved my pack and descended... Read More

Why Every Yogi Should Establish A Daily Morning Practice: 5 Undeniable Truths

September 21st, 2022

Very few believe me when I say that I wake up at 5 am each morning to practice yoga. But it’s true. When the alarm sounds, I slowly wake for a couple minutes, drink a glass of water, and then hop onto my mat. I do this with intention, for very specific reasons. Sure, I enjoy going to yoga studios, and still do. Yet my at-home practice is my saving grace. It sets me up for success in the long run for everything that I seek to accomplish. Here’s why: IT CULTIVATES DISCIPLINE AND POSITIVE HABITS Discipline is an art form in and of itself. As with anything worthwhile, it’s difficult at the start.... Read More

Get Better Sleep With Restorative Yoga: A Simple 3-Step Routine

February 9th, 2022

  There are many different types of yoga, and it’s about time this particular style gets its due. You don’t have to constantly be sweating in a heated room to reap the same benefits that a more static practice has to offer—calmness, reduced stress, enhanced flexibility (to name a few).  In fact, restorative yoga is the perfect precursor to restful sleep. Through the use of props and seated postures held for at least 10 minutes each (sometimes longer), it’s possible to train the mind into meditative states of relaxation. This, in turn, can make sleep easily accessible. A good night’s... Read More

Get Your Yoga On: 6 Budgeting Tips For An Aspen Yoga-Nature Staycation

October 2nd, 2020

  I firmly believe that nature is medicine. There is nothing more rejuvenating than unplugging from the world for a few hours, sifting through trees and allowing silence to be your personal tour guide. What is now commonly referred to as forest bathing, the act of immersing yourself in nature while simultaneously being present to your surroundings, can be a moving meditation in and of itself, much like yoga. In fact, both practices strongly correlate with one another. Practicing yoga or meditating out in dense wilderness reaps positive therapeutic benefits. Imagine hiking through the mountains... Read More

Travel Like a Yogi

August 14th, 2020

I’m no Oprah, but I do have a lot of well-known favorite things: puppies, blankets, parks, mountains, warm food . . . And in a ranking of my favorite things, traveling scores highly, while spending time in airports places very low. The combination of sitting still for a long time, falling asleep in strange and uncomfortable places, eating processed food, feeling the effects of dehydration, and generally feeling greasy makes me want to get out immediately. Airport Yoga Rooms Luckily, some sweet humans have built yoga and meditation rooms in a few airports to help out us uncomfortable travelers.... Read More

Serving Veterans Through Yoga

June 6th, 2020
veteran yoga

Along with petting dogs, hiking mountains, and teaching yoga, one of my favorite things in the whole world is working with veterans. My grandfathers, brother, and dad are all veterans ranging timelines and wars from WWII to Iraq/Afghanistan. While I took the black sheep route and became a yoga instructor instead of enlisting, my family and military roots are extremely important to me. Teaching yoga to veterans became a way to connect my two worlds and give back to the community that has selflessly given so much to all of us. In March 2013, I started a yoga program at the Boulder Veterans Center... Read More