Archive for February 2014

Yoga for Migraines

February 24, 2014
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Did you know that there is some potential for relieving migraines through your yoga practice? This topic came up several times last week so I went to my primary source for therapeutic yoga poses – “Light on Yoga” by B.K.S. Iyengar – for some ideas.

You might try either the Nadi Sodhana breath – also known as Alternate Nostril Breath (no retention of breath for migraine sufferers); or Sitali breath – cooling breath.  Yoga asana for migraines includes Paschimottanasana – Seated Forward Fold, Uttanasana – Standing Forward Fold and both Shoulderstand and Headstand.

If you are not familiar with these techniques we recommend you work with an experienced yoga teacher for best results.

Curious about using Mantras?

February 10, 2014
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Perhaps you’ve heard people in a class discussing the use and benefits of Mantras but have no idea where to start.  A Mantra is a word or short phrase repeated either silently or outloud.  This word/phrase can be something taken from an ancient tradition or religious practice or simply a word or words that resonate with you deeply.  You might choose to repeat your chosen word/phrase while walking, meditating, cooking, gardening – choosing to deepen your connection to any activity through deeper focus on not only the words chosen, but on your breath, body language, heart rate or emotional state.  You may find the Mantra calming and centering.  Repeated use will deepen this sense of inner peace.  It may help you to chose a particular time of day to work with your Mantra, at least in the beginning, to create the habit and enjoy the benefits.  You may find yourself spontaneously using the Mantra when presented with a stressful situation, thus giving yourself the opportunity to react differently than you might have based on previous programming. This new reaction might simply be in the form of observation – noticing the situation but not reacting.  I call this “staying out of the muck”.  I sincerely hope this practice is of benefit to you and the people you interact with in the world.

Namaste, Vickie at Yoga Adobe

Visualization

February 9, 2014
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Having vision, creating vision, bringing your inner vision into the light – all potential ways to describe the process of visualization.  If you’ve never practiced visualization you may be curious about the appropriate technique or even the reason for following such a process.  Visualization can create powerful results in your life by focusing your attention and energy  in a positive direction.  To begin, choose a potential goal or endpoint you’d like to attain and begin to see all the details as vividly as possible.  Since we can only begin from right where we are, begin to see the path towards your goal unfolding in your inner vision.  Again, project loads of details; colors, patterns, people, events, etc. that will pave your way towards success.  Be sure to feel the energy of moving along this path and the sweetness of achieving your goal to bring even more power into the process.  Once you have the path laid out exactly as you wish, repeat following this vision daily.  Perhaps you’ve created or chosen your personal mantra and can repeat that as you follow your path.  However you chose to arrive at the completion of your goals, enjoy the process!

Winter weather ever get you down?

February 3, 2014
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Do you or someone you know suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?  Did you know that yoga can help you feel more energized and connected?  Practice some simple inversions to get the blood back into your brain!  Inversions do not have to mean standing on your head, although that’s very helpful – but Headstands are not appropriate for every neck.  So, consider a simple Downward Facing Dog or Standing Forward Fold – either pose brings fresh blood to the brain without putting any pressure or strain on the neck.  To make these poses even more relaxing try supporting your brain on a bolster or stack of blankets while you hang out.  Or, you might try the Standing Forward Fold with your hips resting against a solid wall, add some support for the brain and you’re really in business :) Or practice Half Moon pose against the wall, using a block to lengthen your arm on the supporting side of the pose; bring both hips, your shoulders and head to the wall.  As you elevate one leg and possible the same-side arm keep both those limbs against the wall as well.  Now turn your gaze out across the room and feel the blues lift and fade away.  Enjoy!!

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