Rediscover your breathing

(From A Morning Cup of Stretching by Beth Pierpoint)
Breathing is an important part of stretching. Breathing provides oxygen. Oxygen is carried by the blood to the muscles to help get rid of the toxins that make you stiff and sore. Tight muscles are just that-tight. You stretch to help lengthen the tight muscles. If you hold your breath while you stretch, you cannot get the oxygen and the blood to the muscles to help get rid of those toxins. So, breathing and stretching go hand in hand. We've all been told when we're stressed to "stop and take a deep breath." There really is scientific evidence that the deep breath helps reduce muscle tension. -em

Bad Blogger

So, I've been doing a really bad job, and I intend to change that. Life has been at a point where I had too much on my plate, but I'm working on changing that, so thank you, for continuing to support me and our journey.

Our EarthWalk team, "Our Karma Yoga," had a great time at the walk last weekend. Thanks to those who came out to support our local retailers working to make our world a better place.

I know we haven't updated the videos as promised, but that is going to be changing too. We have new devices that will make it sooo much easier, so look for those to be updating soon.

Lastly, I want to continue to express my gratitude to those who are participating in yoga in the Barefoot Yoga Studio. We have the same bunch still participating that joined on when the studio first opened to business. And... we're growing! One student is training to become a yoga teacher and she is going to be using the space for her classes on Wed. nights. Good luck to Kat and her class! namaste, em

What to eat as a yogini

So, you practice yoga... now what? You try to attend classes as often as possible, you mix up your instructors, or stick to your favorite, but above all, you find comfort in how your body feels during and after your yoga practice. As you continue the journey, you maybe begin to question other areas of your life... such as why do I say and behave certain ways, why do I carry tension in various parts of my body, and why do I eat this or that "comfort" food? This is truly the fun of yoga!! It demands you take a closer look at who you are and why you are the way you are. Just for today, let's take a closer look at food...

(From yogajournal.com)
You know your diet is working well when you feel your system is supported rather than depleted by your practice.
By Mary Taylor and Lynn Ginsburg
The practice of yoga is inherently individual, directly experienced within the solitary confines of the body's internal landscape. And why you choose to practice yoga is also personal, with as many goals for yoga as there are different personalities and life histories. But while you approach the sticky mat with your own unique body type, physical geometry, injuries, quirks, and habits, what you are ultimately seeking through the practice of yoga is the universal form. By working with your own individual patterns within the universal form of the asanas, what you probably hope to discover is a place of balance.

Eating can also be considered a practice in which you seek universal balance. Like yoga, eating is a highly personal activity-you learn to adapt your needs to the many popular nutritional systems and diets. Developing a mindful eating practice can provide a ground that truly supports and nurtures your yoga.

But in developing this kind of supportive nutritional practice, one of the joys and challenges is understanding that (as with everything else in yoga) there is no easy "one size fits all" solution for finding the right foods.

If you would like to read the rest of this article: http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/9
-em

Bodies Revealed

I understand the controvery surrounding the current exhibit at Union Station, "Bodies Revealed," but I went this past weekend and I am so grateful for my experience. I took 2 hours to absorb everything and the next day taught 2 yoga classes, with a completely different/new outlook. If you are at all interested in what is going on inside your body and how it works, consider this exhibit. I am fascinated with the muscles and bones, as it's just the nature of my profession, but all of it was very cool, from getting a closer look at the digestive system, circulatory system, and all of our senses, to just being able to completely "get" the whole picture. I feel I have changed for the better. I have taught 6 classes and trained a few clients since attending this exhibit and each class I was better at understanding exactly what was going on with each of my participants. And for that, I am grateful. I am glad this exhibit exists and hope you'll take the time to learn a little more, as we all live within our body; a body which is a gift we are blessed to have received and strive to take care of everyday. namaste! -em

Pranayama (BREATHING)

Pranayama Tips: Position, props, and partners can all assist you in breathwork.

By Tony Briggs (www.yogajournal.com)

1.Supine Position. The basic techniques of pranayama are best learned lying down; you won't be distracted by the challenge of maintaining a stable, upright, seated posture, and you can use a bolster to help expand your chest. Fold a blanket into a bolster—about 3 inches thick, 5 inches wide, and 30 inches long. Use a second blanket to form a thin pillow and lie back so the thin bolster supports your spine from just above your sacrum to the top of your head.

2. Seated Position. The optimal position for pranayama is a simple seated meditative pose—Sukhasana, Siddhasana, or Half or Full Lotus Pose—with the addition of jalandhara bandha, the chin or throat lock. To perform jalandhara bandha, raise the top of your sternum toward your chin, tuck the hinge of your jaw toward your inner ear, and softly lower your chin toward your sternum.

3. Feedback. In pranayama you strive to distribute your breath evenly throughout your entire lungs—top and bottom, left and right, front and back. At first, you may have a hard time sensing the parts of your lungs that aren't opening; a gentle, steady touch (and verbal feedback) from a yoga buddy can increase your awareness and help you learn to breathe fully and evenly.

4. Props.You can use props to help you sense where your lungs may not be expanding fully. Belts cinched snugly around your rib cage—one up near the collarbones and one around your floating ribs—will quickly show you which parts of your lungs you tend to neglect. You can also bring awareness to the contact between your back and your bolster to see whether you tend to breathe more with the upper or lower portions of your back lungs.

Addicted!

Okay, so I know as part yoga you are supposed to let go of many things: competition, expectations, judgement, and so forth. So, I am sure proclaiming my addiction is not very "yoga" of me. However, I just have to share. I am completely addicted to peppermint essential oil. I swear by this stuff. It is totally invigorating and uplifting. I try to put some on before I teach any class (anybody notice lately how fresh I smell?!). I have some on right now! I was no stranger to peppermint and many other essential oils, but I wasn't really into it. Then about 5 weeks ago I was at my hair stylist's and she put some on me and I was a changed woman! Let me tell you, at only about $6/bottle at Whole Foods, there is no reason any of us should be without. Benefits of peppermint include soothing digestion, improving concentration, heartburn, headaches, depression, and more (check out the website of Young Living- my favorite independent distributor of essential oils). -em

Yo-ga! Yo-ga! Yo-ga!

(courtesy of realage.com- I love those guys!!)
These days, yoga gets more love than whoever’s starring in The Bachelor. And for good reason.

Yoga reduces blood pressure, lowers heart rate, decreases stress hormones, and increases three relax-it’s-okay compounds.

The Feel-Good Three
Talk about a natural high. Yoga has been shown to boost blood levels of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins -- three natural feel-good substances. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel cheerful and content. Dopamine is a brain chemical closely tied to the pleasure centers of the brain. And endorphins? Those are the opiate-like compounds that produce a sense of well-being. Go big three!

Quick Start
And the best news: You can get the benefits of yoga from a single exercise or a full-fledged class.