As an Urban Zen Integrative Therapist,(UZIT) I've witnessed many times how the simple mindfulness practices of UZIT decrease stress, anxiety, exhaustion, insomnia and pain. 2020 and the beginning of 2021 has been a year of challenge and change for so many of us! A year in which healthcare workers who have weathered the pandemic are … Continue reading 3 Quick Tips to Combat Burnout for Healthcare Professionals
Author: yogaandinspiration
I am an E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP and Urban Zen Integrative Therapist. I have been teaching yoga and mindfulness for 17 years. I am passionate about sharing yoga to foster a sense of health and well being so you can live an inspired purposeful life. I have worked with various populations with varying abilities including persons with MS, TBI, SCI and cancer patients and survivors, prenatal and postnatal and kids. I approach teaching with a sense of curiosity, playfulness and a desire to continue to learn and grow.
Morning Rituals
In the Ayruvedic Tradition, it is recommended to start one's day with a morning ritual. These rituals can aid in firing up digestion, bringing about a feeling of groundedness and are overall balancing. After attending a mini workshop on Ayurvedic Morning Rituals, I made a commitment to myself to begin more of a routine … Continue reading Morning Rituals
Sabbath Moments
Recently in our final days of onsite training for Urban Zen at Wexner Heritage Village, the Rabbi Cary Kozberg joined us to deliver a most inspiring maybe even, life changing speech. He commented that Urban Zen offers people "Sabbath moments" in their daily busy, stressful lives. He spoke about the Sabbath as a time to … Continue reading Sabbath Moments
Exhale
Ahhhh! Doesn't that feel better? This is a time of year when our 'to do list' gets longer and longer and we run around practically holding our breath. Sometimes in Urban Zen we advise a patient/client to notice their exhale. This can often slow their breath rate and relieve feelings of anxiety. … Continue reading Exhale
Living with Intention
I've really missed being here! I hope this finds you and yours well! This past summer I set an intention to spend quality time with my kids and I did just that. We had a wonderful summer together! My kids for the most part got along. We didn't go on any extravagant vacations, we … Continue reading Living with Intention
Shitali Pranayama
Shitali means cooling. I thought it fitting to share this breath practice as the humidity of summer arrives. This pranayama practice is great for my MS students to help deal with the heat and, great for my prenatal students to lessen their nausea. My daughter and I routinely practice Shitali Pranayama when we are feeling … Continue reading Shitali Pranayama
Balance On and Off the Mat
Ardha Chandrasana has become one of my favorite yoga poses. By engaging the core and finding the strength of the standing leg, I can open into freedom, into a feeling of bliss. I often tell my students that by practicing balance poses we can find balance in our life off the mat. Hmmm.... With my … Continue reading Balance On and Off the Mat
Disconnecting to Connect
A Heart of Love made by Gail Spirit Sky It is etiquette to turn off your cell phone upon entering a yoga studio. This practice helps us to drop into the present moment and tune into our breath, sensations and the community in the room. I've taken this practice off the mat and … Continue reading Disconnecting to Connect
Bhramari
Bhramari (pronounced brah mah REE), which means the "buzzing of the bees" according to Dr. Timothy McCall. Bhramari is a breath practice that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the calming nervous system by lengthening the exhalation. Bhramari can help reduce anxiety and bring one's focus into the present moment. I recently taught Bhramari in … Continue reading Bhramari
Yoga
Lately I've been seeing so many photos of beautiful yogis in amazing poses that I can only dream of doing. I know it is my ego causing me to feel insecure and less than. I also know that yoga is so much more than a perfect body in a perfect pose. After all I teach … Continue reading Yoga
Yoga and Inspiration 