Mindfulness of Change: Finding Your Flow
Many years ago, a longtime student asked Suzuki Roshi (author of the seminal book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind) to sum up Zen practice in a single sentence. His answer was, “Everything changes.” Transition is not only a part of life;
10 Yoga Balance Tips for Developing Proprioception and Maintaining Good Balance
Maintaining our ability to balance is essential as we age. About a third of the population over the age of 65 takes a fall each year. At age 80, half of the seniors fall annually. Falling is the leading cause
7 Common Misconceptions About Yin Yoga
As a Yin Yoga practitioner and teacher trainer, I often hear some of the unfavorable things that people say about Yin Yoga. And honestly, I don’t blame them. I raised many of the same critiques when I first encountered the
5 Tips for Teaching Yoga to Beginners
Although it may seem counterintuitive, teaching yoga to beginners is the most challenging population to teach. While it may seem easier at first to teach “simpler” poses and sequences, it’s actually extremely difficult to teach a style of mindful movement
Feeling Lightheaded? 5 Tips to Help Prevent Dizziness in Yoga
Do you ever experience dizziness in yoga class? Getting a little woozy while practicing yoga isn’t uncommon. The sensation can vary from an almost pleasant, slightly intoxicated feeling (like the rush after the first swallow of a good glass of
Bouncing Back: 6 Yogic Tools to Build Resilience
Let’s face it: getting older requires resilience. Changes due to health, illness, surgery, finances, living arrangements, and a host of other factors test our resilience skills. So you might be wondering: Is resilience something we are born with, or can
Yes Men Can Have Pelvic Pain Too
Confession: I treat men for pelvic floor problems—lots of them. Seriously, I think my schedule is often about 30% men. This shouldn’t have to be a confession. You shouldn’t be surprised by this, but you possibly are. I mean, my
Book Review: The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga by Jivana Heyman
Human beings are not cookie cutters. If we were, teaching yoga would be so much simpler. But of course, we aren’t all the same. We all come into the world with different genetic predispositions. We’re all subject to vast and
Yoga Boosts Memory and Brain Function Study Shows
Concerned about keeping your full memory capacity and cognitive functioning as you get older? Well, if you are a yoga practitioner, there is good news. A 2020 meta-analysis shows that for people without cognitive impairment, regular yoga practice can offer
Judith Hanson Lasater: The Greatest Gift of Yoga Asana
All I remember of my first asana (posture) class is the ceiling. Between movements, we would be instructed to lie down on our mat and rest. I do not remember very much about what we did, but I do remember
Yoga Anatomy: The Vagus Nerve, Amygdala and the Stress Response
The vagus nerve and amygdala are key elements in my work associated with chronic stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and trauma. These aspects of our nervous system connect how we think, feel, and relate to experiences within and around us.
Strengthen and Stabilize: 3 Poses for Healthy Knees
A yoga student recently asked, “What are some knee-strengthening exercises and/or exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knees?” Like most questions, this one has many facets. Yoga postures can help improve some knee issues. The trick is figuring out
What Your Body Tells You Can Protect You From Stress, Study Suggests
Interoception refers to the capacity to accurately detect and interpret bodily cues. Some of these cues are obvious, such as when you accidentally touch a hot surface. But interoception also involves being aware of the body’s more subtle signals. Research
Restless Legs Syndrome: How Yoga and Meditation Can Reduce Symptoms
Restless legs syndrome (RLS, also called Willis-Ekbom Disease) is a condition that causes uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs, often described as creeping, crawling, itching, tingling, pulling, throbbing, or painful. People with restless legs syndrome feel an irresistible urge
Restore Any Time: 5 Awesome Child’s Pose Variations
Ahh, the joy and relief of Child’s Pose variations after a sweaty yoga practice! Though often seen as simply a resting pose, the benefits of Child’s Pose are so much more than just taking a break between vinyasa flows. The