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

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

Urban Zen

“We believe that it takes a strong back and a soft front to face the world.”  Roshi Joan Halifax Are you being called to serve?  Do you have a passion to help your loved ones who may be living with terminal illness?  Do you want to work with persons undergoing cancer treatment and be able … Continue reading Urban Zen

The Power of Visualization

I teach yoga to persons with disabilities where the person often has a weaker side which sometimes cannot move without assistance.  In class I often encourage them to do the pose or movement on the stronger/ dominant side first to really feel in their body how the movement feels.  I then encourage them to close … Continue reading The Power of Visualization

You’re just getting started

I hope you've enjoyed this 4 week Meditation/Mindfulness Journey with me.  I hope you have found more ways to be present for your life and those around you.  Maybe you've found that sitting everyday is a challenge but have found mindfulness in your day to day activities.  As a result, you are living with less … Continue reading You’re just getting started

Week 4 Meditation/Mindfulness Journey

This week I would like to invite you to try a meditation/visualization practice.  After the birth of my daughter, 14 years ago, ( wow, really), I went through a period of my life with high anxiety.  This anxiety was keeping me from doing fun things around others and hurting my marriage.  I started seeing a … Continue reading Week 4 Meditation/Mindfulness Journey

Week 3 of Meditation/Mindfulness Journey

Mindfulness:  Bringing ones complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis, (according to Wikipedia). My word for 2014 is presence, which to me is being mindful and fully present to each moment of my day as it unfolds.  I still find myself worrying about things in the future.  However, as I keep bringing … Continue reading Week 3 of Meditation/Mindfulness Journey

Week 2 of Meditation/Mindfulness Journey

Here we are at week 2 of our Meditation/Mindfulness Journey.  This week's practice is Loving Kindness Meditation or Metta Meditation.  Typically with Loving Kindness Meditation we start with offering loving kindness to ourselves followed by our loved ones and then, to persons that are neutral, for example, the grocery store clerk a stranger on the … Continue reading Week 2 of Meditation/Mindfulness Journey

28 Day Meditation/Mindfulness Journey

"When we take time to quiet ourselves, we can all sense that our lives could be lived with greater compassion and greater wakefulness."  Jack Kornfield Meditation and mindfulness is spoken of everywhere now.  There are multiple studies being conducted on its effects in the corporate world, education, the health care system and the military.  Technology … Continue reading 28 Day Meditation/Mindfulness Journey

Possibilities!

The start of a new year offers a time to reflect on what is working for you and what is not; what thoughts and actions are leading you to your best self.  The beginning of a new year opens the door to possibilities.  My yoga practice deepens my life experiences and fosters a life lived … Continue reading Possibilities!