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Knowledge Share:
a place for discovery & growth

8/31/2018 0 Comments

What is a Yoga Breakdown? How to Coach yourself through a Yogic Release

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I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Brett Larkin of the Sivana Podcast. We chatted candidly about the phenomenon most call the "Yogic Release" that moment when your suddenly on the verge of tears on your yoga mat, and you not quite sure how you got there. 

Take a listen as Brett and I  discuss how you can dig deep, breathe and coach yourself thru those moments. The rewards you reap from surviving a Yoga breakdown are HUGE. These can remind you both of the temporary, yet interconnected nature of all things. 

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8/20/2018 0 Comments

Just Breathe:  Why Pranayama is so important

To live we must breathe.  It is the oxygenation of the blood and brain that keeps us going. The way we breathe affects our mood, energy level and ability to function.
 
In Yoga the breath is SUPER IMPORTANT.  Pranayama, also know as the Yogic Breathing, is the practice of conscious breathing as a method to help control ones vital energy.  Therefore having the ability to tap into your breath as a source of self control and power can have absolutely liberating effects! 
 
Conscious breathing encourages us to embrace the present moment, and be mindful.
In this era of cellphones, ipads, & smart watches we are constantly being notified  about everything from our friend’s recent engagement to airline price drops.  We can be so focused on the future or past that we are totally disconnected from the reality of the NOW.  When the focus is on the breath, you are not thinking, saying or doing anything else; as a result, you must be completely present in the moment.
 
The differences between Pranayama (Yogic Breathing) and regular breathing are: (1) conscious awareness & (2) the technique.  Yogic philosophy believes that we can create different effects in our mind & bodies with our conscious breathing. 
 
I want to share 3 basic Pranayama Techniques with you that you can try at home: Sama Vata Pranayama, Sitali Pranayama, Nodhi Sodhana Pranayama. 
 
 
A WORD OF ADVICE BEFORE YOU DIVE IN:  I would recommend trying each of these techniques for at least 5-7 minutes in order to truly get the full experience.  You can sit in a chair that has back support with feet firmly planted and palms face up OR you can sit cross legged with your back against a wall and palms face up on your thighs.  Make sure to gently firm your abdominals while you are seated to give your back extra support. If sitting is extremely uncomfortable do to lack of mobility then you can try the techniques while laying down; however make sure not to get so comfortable that you fall asleep.
 
 
Sama vata Pranayama  - equal length breath.  This calming & grounding breath uses nasal breathing to queque the ‘rest & digest’  or Parasympathetic nervous system.  The goal is to reach equal pressure, length and speed of breath on inhalation & exhalation. The trick is to relax the palette of the mouth, muscles of the face and body, focusing only on the sensation of the air moving in and out of your nose. You can count internally – if you are concerned about having an accurate measure of the breath.
 
 
Sitali Pranayam – cooling breath.  This breath is used if you are over heated or need to refresh yourself.  You inhale through parted lips, the air is cooled as it moves over your slightly protruding, flattened tongue.  Then you exhale through the nose.  The goal is to allow this cool breath to cool the body and ground the mind through physical sensation.
 
Nodhi Sodhana – balancing breath.  This breath is used to energetically balance the left & right side of the body.  After taking several deep breaths using both nostrils, breathe in deeply, then use the index finger to cover the left nostril. Breathe out of the Right nostril, and then breathe in the Right nostril. Release your left nostril and cover your right nostril. Exhale through your right nostril, then inhale using your right nostril. REPEAT breath with alternating nostril closed several times.  Once complete release nostrils take BIG breath in through the nose and exhale through the mouth.
 
Don’t worry about getting these techniques perfect the first time.  Don’t judge your busy mind when it vacillates from thought to thought as it begins to learn to calm down. Simply give yourself permission to practice with out judgment. Make your aim incremental progress rather than instant mastery. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy practicing Pranayama.
 
 
Now that you have a handful of technique to try, take a seat, slow down and just breathe….until Next time, Namaste! 
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8/6/2018 0 Comments

Yoga Heals...

Yoga heals.  There are tons of scientific research studies that confirm this to be true. However I want to share my own personal story of healing with you all this month. 
 
When I first started practicing Yoga I was lonely, and restless. I was also out of shape.  As a former athlete I would occasionally do something physical to prove that “I still had it”,  but that would usually end up with me in a full body cramp somewhere struggling to breathe.  Moreover, as an entrepreneur I was always alone working; I knew I needed to create some kind of community for myself.  My attempts to develop a social life out of my involvement with Adult kickball had failed miserably. The glaring truth is that I was not myself when I first came to the mat.
 
I have been known to be a passionate, vibrant and high energy person but somewhere between NYC and ATL, I lost that zest.  Even though I left home at an early age to attend boarding school and stayed away through law school, there was something scary about moving for love. I didn’t feel the same security I had when I had moved for my academic pursuits.  The uncertainty gave way to feelings of isolation and alienation. I knew that I needed to try something radically different to get myself back; after all, I was the same person that could make friends with anyone and talk the paint off a wall.
 
After giving it a lot of thought, I talked into going to a yoga class. Best thing I ever did. I almost cried at my first yoga class, and I definitely cried at several classes during the first few months.  Each class felt like a huge release.  Let me be clear I wasn’t boohooing or sobbing uncontrollably,  but every time I laid down for savasana tears would well up in my eyes and roll down my cheeks.  It felt good. Those early classes helped me reach a great revelation. I had been holding on to my old life and hadn’t yet given myself permission to be fully present in my new life.
 
Without knowing I had experienced first hand the power of the yogic principal of Asparigraha: non-clinging.  I had been clinging to my old life, my friends back in nyc, and the adventures I thought I left behind.  I was clinging to the comfort of what was rather then embracing what is.   
 
Each class I would let go of the past a little more. Then one day the most amazing thing happened. I walked into the studio and felt light. By some miracle, no one else had come to class, I had the studio owner and master teacher all to myself. I was nervous but excited.  She asked me to sit down cross legged and close my eyes, then I heard her chuckle and say “whoa, I don’t know if you realize this but you are really leaning forward. In yoga that is a sign that you are really ready to step into the future. But you have to remain in the present so firm your belly and sit up straight.” 
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Whether she was aware of not those words were the final encouragement I needed to swallow hard, embrace my new life and start to live rather than continue just existing.
I have practiced yoga regularly ever since that day, it keeps me grounded and forces me to bravely face reality so that I can not only be present but truly content.
 
Get out there and get on your mat! Let the healing flow.

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