EPIC We all want an epic life, and you're probably here because you'd like to include having epic fitness, an epic mindset and epic health. Today I'm sharing some nuggets from the Franklin Method that have changed my life and improved the lives (and bodies, fitness, etc) of many of my students and clients. The secret weapon? The Franklin Method! In the Franklin Method, we use a 4 step process to break down how we can move from the current state of our body to a better state - like we may notice tension in our lower back and if we take a few minutes to check in and DO something about it, we can experience a loose, open, and relaxed lower back instead. We create a new norm by practicing with this kind of awareness and skill. EPIC stands … [Read more...]
Relational Wellbeing: The Yajna Model
Hey everyone! Today I'm going to quickly teach you about a model used in Yoga philosophy that helps an individual see where and how they are supported by aspects of life and a variety of relationships. What struck me is how different this view is from a western biopsychosocial model - often referred to as the Six Dimensions of Wellness. This model focuses on the individual's needs, with limited attention given to relationships (in the social and perhaps environmental pieces of the pie). The Yajna Model really looks at the individual functioning within an ongoing study and appreciation for relationships of different types, to meet different needs. If we think of either of these models like a table, each aspect is a leg on the table providing support to the individual. One leg … [Read more...]
The Freedom Mantra
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu Written above, you see a Sanskrit mantra which means: “May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.” So, I call this one the Freedom Mantra. Happy Independence Day! And as I reflect on the role of relationships, and how they give us such opportunity and clear confirmation of our own state, our own growth, (or our own momentary, ahem, regressions and transgressions) I would like us to consider Independence Day as Interdependence Day. I won't get too political here, but let's face it. We are on this planet together, and the more we can support each other's freedoms the more we, too, can feel freedom, embodied. Feel … [Read more...]
Why We Practice: Grief, Crisis and Getting Your Ticket Back From Crazy Town
The New Year is up on us, and so many people begin the year thinking about their body. Their health. Setting fitness goals. The classic 'resolutions' to do things differently and be 'better'. In my yoga classes yesterday here in Irvine, CA I had a full house both slots - bigger classes than I've experienced in months and I spoke candidly about how I hoped I'd continue to see them all month - and al year. That these practices steep into our cells and minds over time, creating a new way of being in the world when we commit to the process and practice diligently. We all have different reasons why we start paying attention to our body and our health, and generally these are the kinds of things clients first express when I do their first session: "I want to feel better" "I know I … [Read more...]
Restorative Yoga: The Head Wonton
Today I'm giving you one of my favorite restorative yoga propping techniques. I originally learned this from my mentor, Donna Farhi, and have enjoyed seeing students settle in with a sigh of relief when tucked in properly. If you experience neck and shoulder tension, or feel overstimulated by the outside world, this can bring a soothing, cradling quality to a standard savasana. To the left, one of my dear students agreed to model for this blog - really, she was so comfortable that she didn't mind the extra time to soak in this pose! We took her wonton corners and tucked in her shoulders with a fairly large amount of the blanket, leaving the center of the blanket roll's height right at the base of her skull. She had another blanket underneath her torso for softness and support, … [Read more...]
It Ain’t All Roses: Practice Insights
It ain't all roses all the time, is it? In writing copy for my new website in the fall of 2015, I decided to share a brief glimpse of my 'dark ages'. My long term clients knew me then, some of them aware of the circumstances and others oblivious - only realizing when my name changed a year later when the divorce was final. Many of them didn't know I was pregnant, and somehow I worked through the fabulous first trimester all-day-sickness and found hope. It was a hell of a year losing a pregnancy I wanted, regretted, prayed over, learned to love again and then lost. All while separated from the relationship that made it came to be. Wanting to understand. Wanting him. Not wanting him. Hating him, and yes, forgiving him. Teaching my clients gave me a reason to get out of bed. To … [Read more...]
Vagal Tone
"It’s very clear that the human is one entity: mind and body are one. It sounds logical but it’s not how we looked at it before. We didn’t have the science to agree with what may seem intuitive. Now we have new data and new insights." How can we use this information? Meditation, vigorous exercise, and emotional resilience all relate to vagal tone, heart rate variability and deep internal health. Vagal tone might be a hot ticket item right now for teachers and neuro-geeks, but it doesn't help our students if we don't know how it applies to how we practice and live life, right? Basically, we can't do what we've always done the way we've always done it and expect to be healthy, people. Change it up. Take a risk. Get outside more. And move your body, mind, and life in NEW … [Read more...]
Insights for Teachers: Cues To Reconsider
Although at face value the article (that inspired me to write this post) is easy to read and the tips are concise, I actually disagree with the author on several points. Please let me clarify that I'm not merely going to share my opinion, but instead use biomechanics to back this up. Anatomy requires our attention, and if we are teaching yoga, we're teaching movement. Which means a shift from the right-wrong duality of how to cue and thinking into deeper discernment. Many teacher training programs teach you how to teach what and how to do it - I like to educate my students to understand why they're paying attention in a certain way, how their body moves and functions, and help them experience their power to influence outcomes. For example, you might ask yourself, "How, as a … [Read more...]