If I don’t do this special thing every day something bad will happen. Or, more accurately, when I do this, I’m more likely to have a good day, maybe even some delightful synchronicities. I’m talking about my morning yoga practice. That sounds a little superstitious, right? It’s been my personal experiment over the course of about 15+ years .Continue reading “I’ve Become Supersticious.”
Category Archives: Breathing
Stressed Out?
I’ve been moving – as in, I moved my home – so I’ve been a bit of a stress monkey (yes, me, the yoga therapist—I get stressed too). What does a yoga therapist do with stress? Here are a few of my coping strategies: Even when the stress gets kicked up a few more notches .Continue reading “Stressed Out?”
Your Cousins
Every breath you take comes from a tree (sorry if I just planted an earworm in your head). Think about that.It’s easy to forget, isn’t it? Every breath you take is oxygen that was released from a tree. We have a symbiotic relationship with trees. Our every exhale is an offering to them. It’s like a constant gift exchange! It’s easy to forget that ourContinue reading “Your Cousins”
This won’t happen quite like this ever again.
Noticing.Paying attention. Are you noticing . . . the trees changing, their color show just beginning. The birds are migrating and doing funny bird things. I’ve seen squirrels outside my window performing crazy acrobatics to get the farthest berry on the limb. The light’s becoming more golden, the sun lower in the sky, blinding meContinue reading “This won’t happen quite like this ever again.”
Your Home Yoga Practice
Think of your home yoga practice as basic self-care. Self-care is taking care of yourself physically, emotionally and mentally. As well as attending to the body, mind, and emotions, regular yoga practice creates a container for developing interoception – your ability to hear your body’s signals, messages and intuitions. Remember that yoga means the unionContinue reading “Your Home Yoga Practice”
Guess What’s in Your Saliva!
Guess what’s in your saliva! A lot of good stuff, that’s what. And it turns out that when we do our breathing techniques in yoga class, we are stimulating saliva production. We know this thanks to the research of Dr. Sundar Balasubramian. Dr. Balasubramanian is a pioneer in the area of research combining Pranayama (yogicContinue reading “Guess What’s in Your Saliva!”
For Those with Breathing Challenges
If your lungs have been compromised by treatment or other conditions, here are a few ways I can work with you to improve your ability to breathe. First, work with your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is your main breathing muscle and the first area I check. What you want to notice is whether your belly expandsContinue reading “For Those with Breathing Challenges”
The Diaphragmatic Breath
Of all the breathing techniques I teach the diaphragmatic breath is the most foundational and useful. I especially recommend it in times of anxiety or crisis since it slows down your breath and helps to relieve tension. Here’s how it goes: place a hand on your belly. As you inhale, gently expand your belly outwardContinue reading “The Diaphragmatic Breath”
Michelle Stortz 