Writings
Pressure Chamber Breath
This is a pranayama that helps us to adapt to the external pressures of society, community, family and partnership, and our own expectations of ourselves. This breathing exercise intentionally creates more pressure in the thoracic and abdominal cavities, and also provides the opportunity to choose when to release that internal pressure. Explore this pranayama when there's anxiety, anger, overwhelm or defeat. Sometimes when we're stressed out, it's difficult to take a deep breath. This practice mobilizes the respiratory diaphragm, making deeper breaths more accessible and easeful.
Vayu Yoga and Elemental Yoga
You have already experienced what I've outlined in this article. You know what it feels like to root down into the ground, or to lift up toward the sky. You know how it feels to get really big and expansive, and how it feels to get really small and contracted. Your body knows what it feels like to receive and take in, and what it feels like to release and let go.
My intention here is to offer some guidance on ways to attune to that which is already occurring within you. When we build awareness of how our bodies and minds move, we have a greater capacity to utilize our yoga tools therapeutically. With a heightened sensitivity of these movements and actions, we're able to refine our practices to best support our needs, and our needs as they change.
Sitali and Sitkari
Sitali and Sitkari are cooling pranayamas, well suited for the warm months of the year, and anytime there’s frustration, anger or a Pitta imbalance. Sitali involves curling the tongue into a straw. If the tongue doesn't curl, then the practice is Sitkari.
When Stretching Isn’t the Answer
Tight hips? The solution may surprise you…
For the last several months I’ve had a big toe thing. I won’t bore you with the details besides that it's probably related to my knee and hip and it feels "tight" in some areas around the joint. My point for mentioning this, is that I’ve been articulating my toes in different ways as part of my toe recovery protocol.
Trust Yourself
It was the third day of studying with my late teacher, Michael, and before I asked him to officially be my teacher. At the end of practice, he guided us into savasana, and, to let go of control of our breath. After a few moments, in which I thought I had set aside any shaping of my breath, Michael quietly walked over, sat down next to me, and placed his hand on my abdomen. He asked me if I could let go of my breath. My belly began to shake and warm tears streamed down my cheeks and flowed over my ear lobes. I didn’t know why I was crying. But, I did know that this was an important teaching. I asked him to be my teacher later that afternoon. An ask that had only happened once before in my life, and one that hasn’t happened since.
Range of Tolerance - Nervous System Resiliency
Nervous System Resiliency for the Holidays
The holiday season is fast approaching, and during this time of year, I like to offer you some ideas and tools to help you support your nervous system. Whether you love celebrating the winter holidays, you dread them, or it’s a mix, we can all benefit from the practices I’ll be speaking about in this article.
The Buzzing Breath / Brahmari Pranayama
This is a great pranayama for focusing the mind, because you’re making a sound. Other benefits of this breathing exercise include: pain management, and breaking up congestion and stagnation in the physical body and the nadis. You can change the pitch of the sound to vibrate different areas of the body. Try this pranayama when the mind is distracted, when there’s pain or a sense of inertia. Buzz as loud as you can without creating tension in your face, jaw, or neck. Try buzzing in different postures, like sitting, standing with feet hip width, laying down, in Warrior II pose, etc. You can also plug your ears with your thumbs and rest your fingertips on your scalp to bring your attention more internal.
Alternate Nostril Breath / Nadi Shoddhona
Alternate Nostril Breath / Nadi Shoddhona balances prana flow in two of the major nadis: Ida and Pingala, which end at the left and right nostrils, respectively, and harmonizes the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This pranayama has been shown to improve nervous system resiliency by activating the vagus nerve and enhancing heart rate variability.
Community and Connection
When was the last time that you felt really connected to a present moment experience? Perhaps it was when you were in the woods, enveloped by the trees, with the scent of dirt and green. Or in a moment of deep stillness on your cushion... in the midst of an embrace, wrapped up in the arms of a loved one... or as you were snuggling with your furry companion.
Connection is the heart of yoga. This practice is about connecting to ourselves… our bodies, minds and hearts, and to the essence of our being... underneath pain, suffering, craving and illusion. And it’s also about connecting with our communities. One of the joys of coming together to practice in the same space, is the love and support we can offer and receive from each other.